Xiaomi Demands Recall of Antitrust Findings by India’s Competition Commission

Xiaomi Seeks Recall of Antitrust Report

China's Xiaomi has asked India’s antitrust body to recall its report that found the company and Walmart's Flipkart breached competition laws, arguing it contains commercial secrets, two people familiar with the matter said. Any recall of the Competition Commission of India report could delay its antitrust investigation, which began in 2021.

Background of the Investigation

In a rare move in August, the commission recalled an antitrust report on Apple after the company similarly complained that commercial secrets were disclosed. Xiaomi's application indicates the report on Flipkart contains sensitive business data related to the smartphone company's sales models.

Key Concerns

• Xiaomi insists that the report’s contents should be redacted prior to sharing with the parties involved.
• One major concern involves sensitive model-wise sales information that was improperly disclosed.

While Xiaomi's request directly addresses the findings involving Flipkart, it remains unconcerned with the data regarding Amazon, which has also been implicated in colluding with other companies, including Xiaomi, on exclusive online sales.

Market Implications

Counterpoint Research shows that Samsung Electronics and Xiaomi together hold nearly 36% of India’s smartphone market share. The competition between these major players continues to escalate, drawing scrutiny from regulatory bodies.

The implication of exclusivity practices in this industry raises questions about the integrity of competition laws in the retail landscape, reflecting broader market dynamics.