Apple accuses India of 'copy-pasting' rivals' claims in antitrust investigation

📌 Summary:

• Apple accused Indian antitrust investigators of "copy-pasting" rivals' claims and failing to conduct an independent probe, demanding the findings be quashed
• The June 25 Apple submission marks the sharpest escalation in its fight with the Competition Commission of India (CCI); opponents include Tinder-owner Match and Indian startups
• In 2024, CCI investigators reported Apple engaged in "abusive conduct" on its iOS App Store and wrongly mandated use of its own payment system
• Apple denied the allegations, calling itself a "minuscule player" with under 6% share of India's smartphone market

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2/GS3 — regulation of Big Tech, role of CCI in ensuring market competition, the digital economy

📝 Prelims Facts:

• CCI is a statutory body under the Competition Act, 2002
• CCI checks anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and regulates combinations
• Apple's claimed smartphone market share in India: under 6%

🔑 Key Term: Abuse of dominant position — anti-competitive conduct by a dominant enterprise, prohibited under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002.