India's competition authority, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has issued a final warning to Apple regarding its attempts to delay an ongoing antitrust investigation that commenced in 2021, according to Reuters.
Since 2021, Apple has been embroiled in an antitrust case in India concerning in-app payment issues, and the tech giant is at risk of incurring a substantial fine of up to $38 billion.
In its defense, Apple has contested India's new antitrust penalty law, which permits the CCI to calculate penalties based on the company's global revenue. In October 2024, the CCI directed Apple to submit objections to the investigation's findings and provide financial information necessary for determining penalties. However, reports indicate that Apple has received numerous extensions since that request.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro MaxIn a confidential order dated December 31, 2025, the CCI expressed its concern, stating, "The Commission is of the considered view that repeated extensions, despite unambiguous directions, undermine procedural discipline and impede the timely conclusion of proceedings," as reported by Reuters.
The CCI further declared, "Such indulgence cannot be continued indefinitely." Should Apple fail to respond by next week, the CCI plans to advance the case unilaterally, citing that the company has delayed responses for over a year, thus obstructing the investigation.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Reuters stated that "Apple views CCI's December order as a move to preempt the ongoing court proceedings, and the company is unlikely to respond before the judges' next hearing on January 27."
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