Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India’s antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered an unusual recall of reports of an investigation that found Apple breached competition laws, after the US giant complained 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%. In an Aug.7 confidential order that Reuters was the first to report, the antitrust body has 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 watchdog 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 said Apple was concerned about disclosures related to revenue of its India app store and figures on market share. In July, it was reported that two reports by the antitrust investigations unit in 2022 and 2024 found Apple had exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system.
Among those now asked for the return of the reports are Match and Indian startup group ADIF, which represents financial giant Paytm.
The order follows Apple’s private complaint to the CCI that versions of reports shared with parties disclosed “Apple’s confidential commercial sensitive information” adding that the watchdog must “recall and withdraw” them, the order showed. Apple and Match declined to comment. The CCI and the Indian startup group ADIF, did not respond to requests for comment.
