Apple ordered to cooperate India probe

Apple has been told by an Indian court to keep participating in the country’s App Store antitrust case while a separate fight over penalty rules continues. The order, issued on May 18, rejected Apple’s effort to put the Competition Commission of India process on hold and directed the company to “fully cooperate” with the investigation and related proceedings. The court also told the regulator not to issue a final order before July 15, creating a short pause on the endgame rather than a stop to the case itself. Reuters and other outlets reported the ruling from court filings and the written order. ### Which court acted, and what exactly did it tell Apple? The Delhi High Court told Apple to “fully cooperate” in the antitrust case and declined to suspend the matter while Apple challenges India’s framework for calculating competition penalties. Reuters reported that the court did not accept Apple’s request to freeze the proceedings, but it did direct the Competition Commission of India, or CCI, not to pass a final order until at least July 15. (money.usnews.com) May 18 is the key date in this procedural step. The order means Apple must continue responding to the regulator even though its broader legal challenge to the penalty regime remains alive in court. ### What is India’s antitrust case about? The CCI case stems from complaints over Apple’s control of app distribution and in-app payments on iPhones and iPads. (money.usnews.com) A 2021 CCI order opening the investigation said the complaint, brought by Together We Fight Society, alleged Apple imposed restraints on app developers by requiring them to use the App Store to reach iOS users and by requiring use of Apple’s own payment processing for digital in-app content. The CCI’s 2021 order named Apple Inc. and Apple Distribution International as the relevant entities for the App Store issues in India. The order said Apple was being examined for possible abuse of dominance under Section 4 of India’s Competition Act. ### Why was Apple trying to pause the process? Apple has been resisting CCI demands for financial information while separately challenging India’s amended antitrust penalty law. (cci.gov.in) Reuters reported in November 2025 that Apple argued the revised law could expose it to penalties based on global turnover rather than only India revenue, creating potential liability of up to $38 billion. April 8 was another important date in the dispute. Reuters reported last month that the CCI said Apple had not submitted requested financial details or its views on the investigation since October 2024, and the regulator moved toward a final hearing in May. (finance.yahoo.com) ### How far along is the case now? The CCI had set May 21, 2026 as a final hearing date before the Delhi High Court intervened on timing, according to reporting from Livemint and Business Standard. The High Court’s latest order does not end the case; it pushes back the regulator’s ability to issue its final decision until after July 15. (cfo.economictimes.indiatimes.com) The practical effect is procedural. Apple must keep engaging with the CCI now, and the regulator must wait until mid-July before issuing any final order in the App Store matter. That reading is based on the court directions as described by Reuters and other reports. ### Who started the case, and what could come next? (livemint.com) Together We Fight Society, a non-government organization, filed the original information that led to the CCI’s 2021 investigation order. The allegations focus on Apple’s App Store rules for distribution of apps and processing of payments for digital content used inside iOS apps. (money.usnews.com) July 15 is now the date to watch. After that point, the Competition Commission of India can move toward a final order in the case, while Apple’s separate challenge to the penalty law continues in the Delhi High Court. (thenextweb.com) (cci.gov.in)