Key Takeaways
- Match Group urges CCI to impose heavy fines on Apple over 30% commission fees
- Company claims Apple’s policies threaten its business in India’s growing dating app market
- CCI has power to fine Apple up to 10% of global turnover
Tinder’s parent company Match Group has formally requested India’s antitrust regulator to impose substantial penalties on Apple, alleging the tech giant’s commission structure threatens its operations in one of the world’s fastest-growing dating app markets.
In a submission to the Competition Commission of India, Match argued that Apple’s fees of up to 30% will gradually erode its revenue streams and growth potential in India. The company specifically urged the watchdog to issue final directives ordering Apple to stop what it describes as anti-competitive practices.
“Apple’s policies adversely affect the return on capital and revenue streams of Match’s portfolio brands,” the company said in its submission, which was reviewed by Reuters.
“In the long term, the constraints and excessive fee imposed by Apple will stifle the growth and scalability of Match’s portfolio brands,” Match added.
Potential Financial Impact
According to advisory firm MarketNtel, India’s dating apps market is projected to reach $1.42 billion by 2030. The CCI possesses significant enforcement power, with authority to fine Apple up to 10% of its global average turnover from the last three financial years.
Match explicitly requested that CCI calculate penalties based on Apple’s worldwide revenue rather than just Indian operations, arguing this approach would serve as a stronger deterrent against repeated violations.
Longstanding Legal Battle
The current dispute represents the latest development in Match Group’s antitrust confrontation with Apple at the CCI, which began in 2022. Last year, investigators concluded that Apple had engaged in “abusive conduct” within its iOS app ecosystem.
Apple has maintained its innocence, pointing to its relatively small market share in India where Android dominates smartphone usage.
Discrimination Allegations
Match also accused Apple of inconsistent treatment in app classification and commission structures. The company highlighted that Uber’s ride-hailing service is categorized as providing “physical goods” with lower fees, while Tinder faces higher commissions as a “digital service.”
“Tinder and Uber both offer matchmaking services in essence,” Match contended in its filing, suggesting the distinction appears arbitrary and unfair.
