Apple is challenging India's anti-trust body over a potential $38 billion fine

Apple has initiated legal proceedings in the Delhi High Court against India's antitrust authority regarding its methodology for calculating penalties based on global revenue. The tech giant, which is rapidly gaining traction in the Indian smartphone market, is contesting the new antitrust regulations that could impose fines as hefty as $38 billion. The company argues that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) is applying an "unconstitutional, grossly disproportionate, unjust" approach by using overall turnover as a basis for these penalties. Apple has not provided an immediate response to inquiries from CNBC regarding the case. The CCI's investigation stems from allegations made by a coalition of Indian startups and Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, who have accused Apple of monopolistic practices. They claim that the company’s policies compel developers to pay excessive commissions for in-app purchases. While Apple refutes these allegations, the CCI’s preliminary findings suggest that the mandatory use of Apple's In-App Purchase (IAP) system for paid apps and in-app transactions limits developers' freedom to choose their payment processing options. In terms of market performance, Apple has recently reported record quarterly shipments in India, reaching 5 million units in Q3 of 2025, according to IDC data. Analysts predict that Apple could sell around 15 million iPhones in India this year, potentially positioning the company among the top five smartphone vendors in the country. Furthermore, Apple is strategically shifting its manufacturing operations from China to India, with exports from India reaching an impressive $12.8 billion in 2024, marking a 42% increase from the previous year.