Apple has asked a court to stop the country’s antitrust watchdog from seeking its global financial records while it challenges the validity of certain laws. The request comes amid an ongoing investigation into the company’s app store practices. The tech giant is currently facing a high-stakes legal battle with the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The watchdog’s investigation has accused Apple of abusing its dominant position on its app store, allegations that Apple denies.
Apple has raised concerns that if the CCI uses its global turnover to calculate penalties, it could face fines as high as $38 billion, reports Reuters. The company has challenged India’s 2024 penalty rules in court, a matter that is still pending.
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Despite Apple’s objections, the CCI continued with its probe and, on December 31, issued a private order asking Apple to submit its financial details. In response, Apple has approached the Delhi High Court, requesting a judge to direct the CCI not to take action against the company at this stage and to put the entire investigation on hold. This request was mentioned in a January 15 filing by Apple, which is currently not public.
Apple argues that being forced to provide financial information now would undermine its main legal challenge against India’s penalty rules. Meanwhile, the CCI maintains that its rules are necessary to prevent breaches by multinational companies.
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The Delhi High Court is set to hear the matter on January 27, according to the report. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between global tech companies and regulators in India. As the case unfolds, it will be closely watched by other tech giants operating in India, who may face similar investigations in the future.
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