Apple has escalated its fight against India's antitrust investigation by accusing regulators of plagiarizing evidence from rivals and EU cases. The company claims investigators 'blindly replicated' consumer spending graphics and copied statements verbatim without independent verification. This marks a dramatic shift after Apple appeared to be cooperating with the Competition Commission of India.

The dispute centers on a potential $38 billion penalty based on Apple's global turnover, which the company argues should not apply retroactively to 2022-2024. Apple refused to provide financial documents for years while challenging the underlying law, though it recently agreed to submit local accounts only. The tech giant contrasts its treatment with Google's case, where it claims the CCI similarly copied European rulings.

Apple opened its first Indian retail store in 2023 and now manufactures one in four iPhones globally in the country. Despite this growing business relationship, the company faces serious regulatory pressure over App Store practices. A closed-door hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2026, where both sides will present arguments before Indian officials determine the final penalty amount.

The plagiarism allegations raise serious questions about investigative integrity in major international cases. If proven true, this could undermine the CCI's entire approach to tech regulation and set precedent for how global companies defend themselves against antitrust claims.