Apple accuses India of 'copy-pasting' rivals' claims in antitrust investigation

Apple has escalated its antitrust fight in India by accusing the Competition Commission of India of relying on rivals’ allegations rather than independent analysis in a probe that found the company engaged in abusive conduct in the iOS apps market. Apple wants the findings quashed and argues that India’s potential remedies and fines could disrupt its App Store model and deter investment. The case is significant because India is becoming an increasingly important iPhone manufacturing hub and market for Apple, even as the company faces regulatory pressure globally. A closed-door hearing is set for July 21. The dispute adds legal uncertainty around Apple’s India strategy, but it does not change earnings immediately; the market focus is on potential regulatory costs, App Store constraints, and longer-term margins and operations in a key growth region.