CCI ‘copy-pasted’ rivals’ claims in antitrust probe: Apple

Apple has accused the Competition Commission of India (CCI) of “copy-pasting” its rivals’ claims and failing to properly conduct its own investigation in concluding breach of competition laws.

- REUTERS

It further called for the findings to be quashed, regulatory papers reviewed by Reuters showed.

Apple’s June 25 submission marks the sharpest escalation yet in its fight with the regulator, where Indian startups are among its opponents.

In 2024, CCI investigators privately issued a report saying Apple engaged in “abusive conduct” on the apps platform of its iOS operating system, and wrongly mandated the use of its payment system. Apple has denied these allegations, and said in its submission that it was a “minuscule player” with an under 6 per cent share of India’s smartphone market. It further alleged that the CCI investigation team had not done its own analysis and instead indulged in “copy-pasting” submissions from opponents in the case such as Match, Walmart’s Indian payments app, PhonePe, and Paytm. “The DG (Director General) made no effort whatsoever to independently verify or critically assess these statements, often parroting them verbatim,” Apple said.