China’s Xiaomi has requested India’s antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), to recall a report alleging that the company and Walmart-owned Flipkart breached competition laws.
According to two sources, Xiaomi argues that the report contains sensitive commercial data, including model-wise sales, which should have been redacted before being shared with the involved parties.
The CCI’s investigation, which began in 2021, could face delays if the report is recalled, similar to a recent case involving Apple. In that instance, the CCI recalled its report after Apple raised concerns about the exposure of its commercial secrets. Xiaomi is now seeking a similar action, requesting that all parties return the report for further review and redaction.
The antitrust report found that Flipkart, along with Amazon, favored certain sellers and colluded with smartphone makers, including Xiaomi, for exclusive product launches. This practice was deemed anti-competitive and harmful to consumers. However, Xiaomi’s concerns are centered on the Flipkart report, with no objections raised regarding data related to Amazon.
Xiaomi, Flipkart, and the CCI have yet to respond to inquiries from Reuters on the matter. A recall would involve parties returning their copies of the report for review and redaction before it is reissued. The CCI’s report also named other smartphone brands, including Samsung, Vivo, and Lenovo, as part of the practice of exclusive launches on Flipkart’s platform.
Xiaomi’s move comes as it holds a significant share of India’s smartphone market, alongside Samsung, with both companies together controlling 36% of the market. If the CCI agrees to the recall, this could further delay the conclusion of the investigation into Xiaomi, Flipkart, and other tech giants.