The Competition Commission of India is nearing a decision on penalties for Apple over App Store practices after Apple failed to submit required financial data for the probe.

In India, Apple’s market share is about 9%, up from 4% at the case’s start in 2021, a level regulators say can still reflect dominance in the smartphone market.

The case began in 2021 when TWFS filed the complaint; investigators in 2024 found Apple abused its dominant position by coercing developers to use its in‑app purchase system and charging commissions up to 30%.

The case fits a broader global trend of regulators scrutinizing large digital platforms and their market power.

The outcome could reshape India’s digital economy by enabling more competition and potentially lowering commissions for Indian developers, signaling a firm stance on competition globally.

If decided, the case could influence future regulatory approaches to big tech in India, including penalties and enforcement in digital markets.

The next hearing is slated for May 21, with the ruling potentially setting a precedent for how big tech firms are regulated in India.

Analysts view this case as potentially landmark for how India regulates big tech, especially app-store practices and digital payments.

Some outlets frame the case as regulators overreaching, noting Apple’s purported cooperation and warning of negative signals to global investors from stringent regulation.

Key participants include Together We Fight Society (TWFS), Match Group, and Indian startups represented by the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF).

This development is part of global scrutiny of app-store policies, with India representing a growing market for Apple through new stores and rising iPhone sales.

This isn’t Apple’s first clash with the Indian government over policy mandates, and while a government app pre-install mandate was withdrawn, the antitrust issue remains unresolved.