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CCI recalls Apple’s anti-trust probe reports as latter complains that its secrets are out
- IBJ Bureau
- Aug 14, 2024
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered an unusual recall of reports of an investigation that had found that Apple had breached competition laws. The anti-trust regulator’s action followed after the US giant had complained that its commercial secrets were disclosed to opponents, including Tinder-owner Match.
The move will prolong a procedure, begun in 2021 and already marred by delays, that centres on Apple’s alleged abuse of its dominant position in the apps market to force developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system at a fee of up to 30 per cent.
In an August 7 confidential order that the Reuters was the first to report, the anti-trust body had asked all Apple’s opponents in the case for the return of the reports.
“It is imperative that such information be maintained confidential, ensuring that no unauthorised disclosure occurs,” the competition watchdog has said in a four-page order signed by its top four officials.
The order did not say what confidential information Apple was concerned about. However, a source with direct knowledge of the matter has said that Apple was concerned about disclosures related to revenue of its India app store and figures on market share.
In July, the Reuters had reported that two reports by the antitrust investigations unit in 2022 and 2024 had found that Apple had exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system.
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