Tag: CCI

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Beyond

Apple shares India financial data in CCI probe

Apple has agreed to provide financial details of its India operations to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), marking a significant development in a long-running antitrust investigation into the company’s App Store business practices. The decision is expected to help the regulator move the case closer to a final ruling.

The investigation began after complaints that Apple abused its dominant position in the market for app distribution on iPhones. The CCI’s probe examined Apple’s App Store policies, including its requirement that developers use the company’s in-app payment system for digital purchases. Critics argue that these rules limit competition and increase costs for app developers.

Apple has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that its App Store policies are designed to protect user privacy, security and the overall customer experience. The company had previously resisted sharing detailed financial information, arguing that legal issues related to India’s competition law needed to be resolved first.

However, following directions from the courts and repeated requests from the regulator, Apple has now agreed to submit India-specific financial data. The information is considered important because it will help the CCI assess the company’s revenues and determine any financial penalties if violations are ultimately established.

The case is being closely watched by technology companies, app developers and regulators around the world. India is one of Apple’s fastest-growing markets, and any decision could have implications for how digital platforms operate in the country

While the investigation is yet to reach its final stage, Apple’s agreement to provide the requested financial information removes a major hurdle and is expected to accelerate the regulator’s review.

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Beyond

CCI dismisses complaint against BookMyShow

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed a complaint accusing BookMyShow of abusing its dominant position in the online movie ticket booking market, concluding that there was no violation of competition laws.

The complaint was filed by Showtyme, a smaller ticketing platform founded by Vijay Gopal. The complainant alleged that BookMyShow entered into exclusive agreements with cinemas and multiplex chains, preventing rival platforms from accessing theatres and limiting competition in the market.

According to the complaint, some theatres signed agreements requiring them to sell tickets only through BookMyShow for periods ranging from two to five years. Showtyme argued that such exclusivity arrangements created significant barriers for new entrants and reduced options for competing ticket booking platforms.

The complainant also raised concerns about the convenience fees charged by BookMyShow for online ticket bookings. It claimed that the platform shared a portion of these fees with theatre partners, which allegedly made it harder for competitors to build similar partnerships and offer comparable services.

After reviewing the case, the Competition Commission of India acknowledged that BookMyShow holds a strong position in the online movie ticketing market in India. However, the regulator said the available evidence did not show that the company had misused this position to restrict competition.

The commission observed that exclusivity agreements are common in many industries and can sometimes serve legitimate business purposes. It noted that such arrangements do not automatically violate competition laws unless they significantly harm competition or prevent new players from entering the market.

The regulator also pointed out that movie tickets in India can still be purchased through several channels, including theatre websites, box office counters, and other ticketing platforms. This, according to the CCI, suggests that competition in the market has not been completely restricted.

Based on these findings, the commission concluded that there was no evidence of abuse of dominance under India’s competition law and ordered the case to be closed.

The decision brings an end to the dispute and clears BookMyShow of allegations related to anti-competitive practices in India’s online movie ticketing sector.

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Corporate

Apple challenges $38 billion India antitrust penalty law

Apple Inc. has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging India’s 2024 amendment to the Competition Act, which allows fines based on a company’s global turnover. The move could expose Apple to a potential penalty of up to $38 billion (around ₹3 lakh crore).

The legal dispute stems from a 2022 antitrust probe by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which accused Apple of abusing its dominance on the iOS App Store by restricting third-party payment options. Apple denies any wrongdoing and says its Indian market share remains small compared to Android, despite significant user growth.

In a detailed 545-page petition, Apple described the law as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, grossly disproportionate and unjust,” arguing that any fine should be limited to revenue earned in India from the specific business under investigation. The company warned that retroactive application of the law could unfairly penalise past practices.

A hearing is scheduled for 3 December 2025, marking the first major test of India’s revised competition-law penalty system against a global technology company.

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