In a significant development for Apple’s ongoing global antitrust battles, India’s Delhi High Court has directed the tech giant to “fully cooperate” with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in a long-running investigation into its practices in the iPhone apps market.
The order, posted on the court’s website on Saturday, May 18, 2026, rejects Apple’s request to pause the proceedings while it challenges the broader legal framework governing antitrust penalties in India. However, the court provided a partial concession by instructing the CCI not to issue a final order in the case until at least July 15th.
Background of the Case
The CCI’s probe dates back to findings in 2024 that Apple had abused its dominant position in the iPhone apps ecosystem. Investigators have been seeking detailed financial information from Apple — data typically used to calculate potential penalties — but the company has resisted, arguing that it is actively contesting India’s antitrust penalty calculation law itself.
Apple has maintained that the CCI should wait until its legal challenge is resolved, accusing the regulator of overstepping its authority. The company has denied any wrongdoing.
Why This Matters for Apple
India represents a critical growth market for Apple. According to Counterpoint Research, iPhones now hold about a 9% market share in the country, up from just 4% two years ago. As Apple continues to expand its retail and manufacturing footprint in India, regulatory scrutiny over app store policies, developer fees, and ecosystem control could have meaningful implications for its operations there.
This case joins a growing list of antitrust challenges Apple faces worldwide, from the EU’s Digital Markets Act enforcement to similar probes in other major markets. The outcome could influence how aggressively other regulators approach similar complaints about app distribution and in-app payments.
The case highlights the increasing tension between global tech platforms and national regulators seeking to curb perceived market abuses in digital ecosystems.
MacDailyNews Take: While Apple must now engage more fully with the CCI’s demands, the July 15th deadline at least gives the company some breathing room.
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
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