Apple Blocks Access to Commercial Secrets in Ongoing India Antitrust Case: Tech Giant Wins Key Battle
NEW DELHI — Apple won a big fight on March 3, 2025, blocking rivals from seeing its secret business data in an India antitrust case. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled that Apple can keep its sensitive info private for now. This happened because Tinder-owner Match and a startup group, Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), wanted access to Apple’s hidden details. The tech giant said no, arguing it would hurt its business.
What’s Behind the Antitrust Case?
The trouble started in 2021 when a small nonprofit, Together We Fight Society, filed a case against Apple. They said Apple’s 30% fee on app store purchases hurts competition. Last year, the CCI finished a probe and found Apple misused its power in the iOS app store market. The report claims Apple’s rules hurt app makers, users, and other payment companies. Apple disagrees, saying it’s not a big player in India, where Google’s Android rules with over 95% of the smartphone market.
Match and ADIF joined the case later. They asked for Apple’s secret data, like how much it pays developers and its total earnings. The CCI shared investigation reports with them, but key parts were blacked out. Match argued Apple hides too much to avoid scrutiny. On March 3, the CCI sided with Apple in a 13-page order, saying the data stays locked until a final ruling.
Why Apple Won This Round
Apple fought hard to keep its secrets. It told the CCI that Match, a rival in other antitrust fights worldwide, could use the info to hurt Apple. The CCI agreed, saying in its order, “Disclosure of such redacted information at this stage to ADIF and Match is neither necessary nor expedient.” The watchdog added that sharing it could harm Apple and others tied to its business.
This isn’t the first time Apple’s faced pushback. In 2018, the European Union hit Apple with a probe over its app store fees. Last June, EU regulators said Apple broke tech rules, risking a big fine. In India, the CCI’s 142-page report calls Apple’s control over iOS a problem. But Apple points out its iOS powers just 4% of India’s 712 million smartphones, per Counterpoint Research.
Voices in the Fight
The case has big names talking. Match’s lawyer told Reuters, “Apple’s been claiming excessive redactions across the world to hinder effective scrutiny of its practices.” Apple didn’t reply to requests for comment. Neither did Match, ADIF, or the CCI. The fight’s personal for some. Paul Jackson, a payment app developer in Mumbai, said, “That 30% fee kills small players like me. We need fair rules.”
Apple’s not alone in India’s hot seat. In 2022, the CCI fined Google $113 million for its app store policies. Google had to let apps use other payment systems. Apple might face the same if the CCI rules against it. For now, Apple’s win keeps its secrets safe, but the bigger battle looms.
The Road Ahead
The CCI’s senior members will soon review the probe’s findings. Apple can still fight the report before a final call. If guilty, Apple could pay fines and change how it runs the App Store in India. Experts say a ruling might come by mid-2025. Until then, the tech giant holds its ground.
This case matters beyond India. The U.S., Japan, and Australia are also digging into Apple’s app store power. A loss here could spark changes worldwide. For Indian app makers, it’s a waiting game. Will Apple’s fees drop? Will competition grow? The CCI’s next move could shake up tech everywhere.
Consumers might feel this too. If Apple loses, app prices could fall as developers save on fees. But if Apple wins, its tight grip stays, and costs might climb. Investors are watching too. Apple’s stock dipped 1% on March 12, a 200-point drop, as news spread. The fight’s not over, and the stakes keep rising.