An Indian court has told Apple to fully cooperate with antitrust investigators looking into the iPhone apps market. The court rejected Apple’s request to pause the case while it challenges India’s penalty law.
The Delhi High Court posted the order on its website on Saturday. The court instructed Apple to cooperate but told the Competition Commission of India (CCI) not to issue a final order before July 15.
Financial records remain at the center of the dispute
The court order focuses on the CCI’s request for Apple’s financial information, which is usually needed to calculate possible penalties in antitrust cases.
Reuters reported that Apple claimed the regulator was overstepping by asking for these records while the company is still disputing the law on penalty calculations.
Republic World also said Apple argued the CCI should wait since the company has already challenged India’s penalty rules.
Apple has denied any wrongdoing and has pushed back against the CCI’s demands. The CCI has been asking for Apple’s financial information since a 2024 investigation found the company abused its dominant position. Apple denied the allegations and resisted the regulator’s request for documents.
India joins Apple’s global antitrust pressure points
The case in India is part of a larger trend of antitrust investigations Apple faces worldwide. This is one of many cases Apple is dealing with over alleged competition violations.
This case matters even more because India is becoming a key market for Apple. Using data from Counterpoint Research, said iPhones now have a 9% market share in India, up from 4% two years ago. India’s importance to Apple and cited the same figures.
A partial win, but not a full reprieve
The court’s order gives Apple some time, since the CCI cannot issue a final decision before July 15. However, Apple did not get the full pause it wanted. The Delhi High Court refused to stop the case while Apple’s challenge to the penalty law continues. The court told Apple to keep cooperating in the antitrust case.
The company still has to give information to Indian investigators while it continues its wider legal battle over penalty calculations.
The ruling means India’s App Store antitrust case will keep moving forward, even though the court has temporarily stopped the regulator from making a final decision.
