Apple has formally challenged a proposed penalty from Indian regulators that could reach as high as US $38 billion, arguing that the allegations prompting the fine misinterpret competition laws and overstate the company’s market power.
The dispute centres on Apple’s terms for app distribution and payment processing in India, which local authorities say restrict competition. The regulator claims that Apple’s rules unfairly disadvantage other services and partners in the local market, effectively locking out rivals with practices that limit choice and inflate costs.
Apple’s response challenges both the regulator’s interpretation of national competition legislation and the methodology used to calculate the potential fine. In its legal filings, Apple argues that the proposed penalty does not reflect its global share or differentiated business model, and insists it has complied with applicable laws while offering fair opportunity to developers and service providers in India.
The case highlights tensions between global technology firms and domestic regulators in fast-growing markets. For India, the outcome may redefine the boundaries of digital platform obligations, possibly affecting how multinational companies operate across the region. For Apple and similar firms, the challenge underscores the legal and reputational risks of maintaining uniform global business practices in diverse regulatory environments. The unresolved question is whether India’s antitrust action will set a precedent that encourages other jurisdictions to follow with bold scrutiny – and how international firms will respond if global compliance standards begin to fracture under regional legal pressures.
