Antitrust Regulator Sets Apple Hearing for 21 May

India’s antitrust regulator has set a 21 May final hearing in its case against Apple after saying the company failed to submit financial data needed to determine potential penalties, Reuters reported, citing an order it reviewed.

The Competition Commission of India said in an 8 April order that Apple has not provided its financials or responded to the investigation since October 2024, instead citing a separate legal challenge in the Delhi High Court, where it is contesting India’s antitrust penalty framework.

The watchdog rejected Apple’s request to pause proceedings, saying the company was attempting to delay the case.

It has given Apple two more weeks to file its response but, for the first time, fixed a final hearing date, a step lawyers said signals a harder stance.

The case stems from a 2024 investigation that found Apple abused its dominant position in the iPhone app market by requiring developers to use its in-app purchase system.

Apple denies wrongdoing and says it plays a small role in India’s smartphone market, which is dominated by devices running Google’s Android system.

The regulator requires financial data to calculate penalties if violations are confirmed.

Apple has said it could face fines of up to $38 billion if global turnover is used as the basis.

The case, which began in 2021 following a complaint by a non-profit group and later backed by Match Group and Indian startups, is one of several antitrust challenges Apple faces globally.

India remains a key growth market, where iPhones account for about 9% of shipments, up from roughly 4% two years ago, according to Counterpoint Research.