Apple has not supplied the financial data and responses requested by India’s Competition Commission (CCI) since October 2024, a fact that the company reiterated in a statement issued on April 20, 2026. The CCI’s latest order, issued on April 8, 2026, set a final hearing for May 21, 2026, and fast‑tracked the case after concluding that Apple abused its dominant position in the iPhone app market by forcing developers to use its proprietary in‑app purchase system.
The CCI has warned that Apple could be fined up to $38 billion if it calculates the penalty on the company’s global turnover, a figure that Apple is contesting in the Delhi High Court. Apple argues that the penalty law is unconstitutional and disproportionate, as the alleged violations occurred only in India. The company’s legal challenge is a key factor in the regulator’s decision to proceed with the hearing rather than pause proceedings.
Apple’s presence in India has grown markedly in recent years. The company’s iPhone market share rose from 4 % to 9 % over the past two years, making the country a more material market for its services revenue. The potential fine and regulatory scrutiny therefore carry significant implications for Apple’s growth trajectory in India and its global services strategy.
Apple maintains that it has not engaged in wrongdoing and cites the pending Delhi High Court case as the basis for withholding data. The CCI, however, views Apple’s actions as an attempt to stall the investigation and has rejected requests to pause proceedings. The regulator’s stance signals a hardening of its approach to antitrust enforcement against global tech firms.
The outcome of the hearing could set a precedent for how India regulates large technology companies. A fine of $38 billion or a mandate to alter the App Store’s payment model would materially affect Apple’s services revenue and could prompt broader changes to its business model in the country. Investors and analysts will closely monitor the hearing for indications of how the company’s legal strategy and regulatory compliance may evolve in the coming months.
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