Apple launches App Store support with 11 new languages including Bangla
Apple is facing rising pressure in India as the country’s competition regulator moves closer to deciding penalties in a case linked to its app store practices. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has said that the company has not shared important financial details which are required for the probe. Currently Apple’s presence in the Indian market is growing at a rapid pace, and this could certainly weaken the company’s earlier claim that it has only a small role in the market. With a final hearing date now set, the case is entering an important stage that could affect how big tech companies operate in India in the future.
The issue began in 2021 when a non-profit group filed a complaint against Apple. It argued that Apple forces app developers to use its own payment system inside apps. However, in 2024 the CCI released a report agreeing with this view and said that Apple misused its position in the app market.
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Apple denied this claim and said it is not a major player in India. But the current market data shows that Apple is growing fast in the country. According to a recent report, the iPhones now have around a 9 per cent market share in India, which two years ago was around 4 per cent. Furthermore, while this growth rate may help the company generate more value, it would certainly make it harder for Apple to defend its position.
Currently, the case has slowed down because Apple has not submitted its financial data or detailed response since October 2024. The company has instead pointed to a separate case in the Delhi High Court, where it is challenging India’s rules on how penalties are decided.
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The CCI stated that they need the financial data to evaluate and decide the amount of the fine which may be directed towards Apple. On the other side, Apple has said that if global earnings are used, it could face a penalty of up to 38 billion dollars, which it believes is unfair.
In March, Apple asked the regulator to pause the case until the court gives its decision. The CCI refused and said the process will continue. The regulator has now given Apple two more weeks to reply and has fixed May 21 for the final hearing.