CCI orders probe against Apple for ‘unfair practices’
The Hindu
‘No access to potential app distributors’
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Friday ordered a detailed probe against technology major Apple for alleged unfair business practices with respect to its App Store.
In a 20-page order, the CCI said that Apple’s App Store is the only channel for app developers to distribute their apps to iOS consumers which is pre-installed on every iPhone and iPad.
“Further, third-party app stores are not allowed to be listed on Apple’s App Store as the developer guidelines as well as agreement prohibits app developers from offering such services... these restrictions imposed by Apple forecloses the market for app stores for iOS for potential app distributors,” CCI said in the order.

Details of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s efforts to create a National Broadcasting Policy emerged on Thursday as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) consulted stakeholders on the shape such a policy should take. “The Policy may provide a common approach for licenses, oversight, and compliances,” TRAI said in its paper, indications that the government is seeking to bring further parity in how digital and legacy mediums like television and OTT streaming are regulated.

The Finance Ministry has dismissed “critical voices” about household savings in the country falling to a multi-decade low, arguing that households are now adding lesser financial assets than in the past because they have started taking loans to buy real assets such as homes and vehicles which is “not a sign of distress but of confidence in their future employment and income prospects”. Data released by the Reserve Bank of India this week showed net household financial savings dropped to 5.1% of the GDP in 2022-23. “Vehicle loans have been growing at double digits since April 2022 and more than 20% since September 2022. The household sector is not in distress, clearly. They are buying vehicles and homes on mortgages,” the Ministry averred.

India mulls mandating drugmakers to audit raw material suppliers annually to ensure quality, patient safety. Compliance with GMP to avoid mix-ups, contamination, errors and build trust. Drugmakers to report faulty manufacture, product deterioration, serious quality problems to LA. Prompt and effective product recall system to be implemented.

AbhiBus, a bus ticket booking service provider, expects to double revenue from ticket sales at a pan India level and quadruple in Tamil Nadu. With actor Silambarasan T.R. as brand ambassador, the firm has 3,000 operators with 1.20 lakh buses and plans to onboard 350-400 operators with 5,000 buses. Ixigo, the parent company, may go for a public issue next year.