India’s antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), is moving swiftly to advance its investigation into Apple’s business conduct, following a decision to grant major tech companies access to confidential details prior to the final hearing in the case.
The CCI has accused Apple of using its dominant position in the market to violate competition laws, a charge that, if proven, could result in a significant penalty for the tech giant.
CCI Establishes a “Confidentiality Ring”
In a recent development, CCI agreed to establish a “confidentiality ring” before proceeding with the final hearing, according to sources familiar with the matter. This step is part of the regulatory body’s efforts to streamline the case.
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The final hearing is expected to begin early next year, with Apple and other select parties granted access to sensitive information related to the probe under the confidentiality ring arrangement. Apple will then likely be given four weeks to review the information and submit a response.
What Does the Confidentiality Ring Do?
The confidentiality ring ensures that confidential data is handled properly throughout the investigation process, allowing for quicker resolution of cases. As part of this process, Apple and other involved entities will be allowed to inspect the probe documents and potentially receive certified copies. The investigation, initiated in 2021, revolves around Apple’s in-app purchase system, which charges developers a commission of up to 30%. The CCI’s findings suggested that Apple’s practices were harmful to developers, users, and other payment service providers.
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In August, Apple raised concerns about the disclosure of its commercial secrets during the investigation, which led the CCI to order that all reports be returned and destroyed before issuing new versions of the documents.
