India’s antitrust battle with Apple is intensifying after Tinder-owner Match Group urged the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to take firm action against what it calls “excessive” in-app purchase fees, according to a Reuters report.
In its latest submission dated 13 October, Match warned that Apple’s commission of up to 30% on app store transactions could stifle the long-term growth of its portfolio brands in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
The filing marks a critical phase in a multi-year investigation that could reshape how global tech giants operate in India’s mobile ecosystem.
Match says Apple’s policies threaten digital app growth
Match, which owns popular dating platforms including Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid, told the Indian regulator that Apple’s policies “adversely affect” its capital returns and revenue streams.
The company said Apple’s strict payment rules prevent third-party processors from handling in-app purchases, forcing developers to pay up to a 30% commission.
Match’s filing also accused Apple of discriminatory treatment, highlighting that Uber—classified as providing physical goods—is charged a lower commission, while Tinder, deemed to provide digital services, faces higher fees.
The company argued that both apps “offer matchmaking services in essence,” suggesting Apple’s classification is inconsistent and anti-competitive.
The submission follows a 2024 CCI investigation report that found Apple had abused its dominant position in the iOS app store market.
Investigators said Apple’s mandatory in-app purchase system prevented fair competition by limiting developers’ payment options and inflating consumer costs.
CCI investigation enters critical phase
The CCI’s probe began in December 2021 after a complaint filed by the non-profit Together We Fight Society accused Apple of forcing developers to use its proprietary billing system and restricting links to cheaper alternatives.
As per Reuters, the regulator’s investigators concluded last year that Apple’s practices constituted “abusive conduct” under Indian competition law.
In August 2024, the CCI took the rare step of recalling two previous investigation reports after Apple claimed they contained commercially sensitive data about its India revenues and market share.
The regulator instructed all parties to destroy copies and later issued revised versions.
Apple’s subsequent request to suspend the new reports was rejected in November 2024, with the CCI ordering the company to submit audited financial statements from fiscal years 2021–22 to 2023–24.
In March 2025, the CCI further ruled that certain commercially confidential information did not have to be shared with rivals such as Match or the Alliance of Digital India Foundation, citing potential harm to Apple’s business interests.
Why the case matters for India’s digital economy
India’s dating app market is projected to reach roughly $1.42 billion by 2030, according to MarketNtel, making it a key battleground for global players like Match.
Despite Apple’s modest 4–5% share of India’s 735 million smartphones, its App Store remains the only distribution platform for iOS apps, giving it considerable control over developers’ revenues.
Match’s submission warned that Apple’s fee structure could “stifle the growth and scalability” of its digital portfolio, particularly in emerging markets.
The company urged the CCI to impose a fine based on Apple’s global turnover rather than its Indian earnings, arguing that such a penalty would serve as an effective deterrent.
Under Indian law, the regulator can fine up to 10% of a company’s average global turnover for the past three financial years.
Global scrutiny of Apple’s app store model
Apple’s business model has faced similar challenges elsewhere.
In April, the European Commission fined Apple €500 million ($583 million) for preventing app developers from steering users to cheaper offers outside its App Store.
The company subsequently revised its rules in June to comply with the EU order.
A London tribunal also found Apple guilty of abusing its dominant market position by imposing unfair commissions on developers.
The global regulatory backlash underscores growing concerns that app store fees and restrictive payment systems are hindering competition in the digital economy.
The CCI’s final decision could have far-reaching implications not only for Apple but also for the broader tech ecosystem in India.
If regulators enforce structural changes or heavy penalties, it may set a precedent for how platform power is policed in emerging digital markets.
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