Apple has asked the Delhi High Court to restrain India’s antitrust regulator from seeking its global financial records while the company challenges the validity of certain penalty rules. This move comes amid an ongoing investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) into Apple’s App Store practices.
Apple argues that the regulator should not compel it to submit sensitive financial data until courts decide whether India’s 2024 penalty rules are legally sound.
The CCI is investigating claims that Apple used its market power to control the App Store ecosystem. The investigators noted that the company forced app developers to use its in-app payment system through its restrictive business requirements.
Apple denies these allegations and has maintained that its policies promote security and user privacy. Despite objections, the CCI continued its probe and, on December 31, issued a confidential order directing the company to submit financial details.
According to a report by Reuters, Apple has warned that if the CCI uses its global turnover to calculate penalties, the fine could reach as high as $38 billion. The tech firm has brought a legal challenge against India’s 2024 penalty system because it considers global revenue to be an unfair and illegal basis for determining penalties.
Apple contends that forcing disclosure now would weaken its primary legal case against the penalty rules.
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The CCI needs its regulations to prevent international companies from breaking laws while maintaining its authority to enforce competition laws throughout India.
The Delhi High Court will conduct its hearing for the case on January 27. The decision will establish important guidelines that Indian authorities will use to assess international technology companies. Other multinational firms operating in India are closely monitoring the case, as similar investigations are likely to occur in the future.