India’s antitrust regulator defended its use of global turnover to calculate fines in a legal battle with Apple, arguing the approach deters multinational companies from breaching competition laws. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) told a Delhi court that relying only on India-specific revenue would fail to prevent misconduct in complex digital and cross-border markets.
Read More: Apple airlifts 1.5 million iPhones from India to dodge US tariffs
Apple has challenged the 2024 law, claiming it could result in disproportionate fines for actions limited to India. The company faces potential penalties of up to $38 billion following a CCI investigation into alleged abuse of its App Store. Apple denies wrongdoing and contends the law is being applied retrospectively.
India defends antitrust penalty law in Apple fighthttps://t.co/sKGpck9wDT pic.twitter.com/102l0gBxKU
— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) January 8, 2026
The CCI rejected Apple’s claims, saying the law merely clarifies existing powers to levy fines up to 10% of a company’s turnover. It argued that the provisions align Indian competition enforcement with international practice and ensure penalties retain “real deterrent value” against large global corporations.
Apple disputes the regulator’s request for global financial data, warning it could dramatically increase potential fines. The CCI countered that the company had previously provided only India-specific details and accused Apple of attempting to mislead the court.
Read More: Apple opens first India store
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the case on January 27. The outcome could set a precedent for how India regulates multinational firms in digital markets, with implications for other global companies under antitrust scrutiny, including Amazon, Pernod Ricard, and Publicis.