India’s Competition Commission of India (CCI) has turned down Apple’s request to put a hold on an investigation report that found the company breached competition laws.
The request was made following the report, which was submitted in August, alleged that Apple had exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system to the detriment of app developers, users, and other payment processors.
The CCI added that Apple’s request to hold the investigation report in abeyance was deemed untenable.
Report has it that the regulator had previously asked parties to return the reports and destroy any copies after Apple complained that the watchdog had disclosed commercial secrets to competitors.
Apple had alleged that the main complainant in the antitrust investigation, Indian non-profit Together We Fight Society (TWFS), had not complied with the directives to give an assurance that the old investigation reports had been destroyed.
However, the CCI rejected Apple’s request to take action against TWFS and withhold the revised report.
The CCI’s investigation had found that Apple engaged in ‘abusive conduct and practices’ by exploiting its dominant position in the market.
Apple has however, denied wrongdoing, stating that it is a small player in India where phones that use Google’s Android system are dominant.
Meanwhile, the CCI has asked Apple to submit its audited financial statements for fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 to determine possible monetary penalties in the case.
The regulator’s senior officials will review the investigation report and make a final ruling on the case.
