A legal battle is taking place between Apple and the Indian Competition Authority over the App Store.

Apple is headed for a new legal battle with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over its ongoing investigation into its App Store practices. This comes ahead of a crucial hearing scheduled for next week, amid escalating tensions over the scope and calculation of potential penalties.

According to media reports, Apple has filed a request with the Indian court to prevent the CCI from accessing documents related to its global sales figures. Apple argues that this data is not directly relevant to the case, which focuses solely on the App Store’s operations within the Indian market. Reuters reported last week that the CCI issued a final warning to Apple for what it described as repeated delays in its antitrust investigation, which has been ongoing for several years.

It is estimated that Apple could face a potential fine of up to $38 billion if found guilty. This unprecedented penalty would be calculated under India’s amended Competition Act 2023, which allows for penalties to be based on the global sales volume of offending companies.

Apple, for its part, argues that calculating the fine based on its global sales is not legally justifiable in a case concerning a specific domestic market. She also asserted that applying this standard could set a dangerous precedent. The court is scheduled to consider this point during a hearing on January 27.

While Apple denies accusations of stalling, it explained that it is seeking a temporary suspension of the proceedings. This will remain in effect until a court ruling establishes the proper legal framework for calculating fines. In contrast, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) emphasized that repeated extensions undermine procedural discipline. It insisted on continuing the investigation and taking necessary action if the company does not cooperate.

As the hearing approaches, observers doubt that the CCI will be able to compel Apple to hand over its financial records before the court’s decision. Meanwhile, the global tech market is watching closely to see the outcome of this legal battle, which could reshape the regulatory landscape for major technology companies in India.