Apple Faces Fresh Antitrust Challenge in China Over App Store Monopoly

Apple is facing a new antitrust complaint in China after 55 iPhone and iPad users accused the company of unfair App Store practices. The group filed the case with the country's market regulator, saying Apple abuses its dominance by limiting app distribution and payment options while charging steep commissions, Reuters reports.

The complaint was submitted to China's State Administration for Market Regulation amid rising trade tensions between Beijing and Washington, with both governments using tariffs and technology restrictions as policy tools.

The users, represented by lawyer Wang Qiongfei, argue that Apple holds a monopoly over iOS app distribution in China while allowing alternative payment methods and app stores in other regions following regulatory pressure from the European Union and the United States.


According to Reuters, the filing cites three alleged violations of China's Anti-Monopoly Law: forcing consumers to purchase digital goods through Apple's In-App Purchase system, restricting iOS app downloads to the App Store, and charging commissions of up to 30 percent on in-app purchases.

This is Wang's second case against Apple. A similar lawsuit filed in 2021 was dismissed by a Shanghai court last year, a ruling he is now appealing to China's Supreme People's Court. Wang said he expects the new administrative complaint to move more quickly through regulators than the earlier civil case.

The complaint also comes as China increases antitrust scrutiny of U.S. tech firms, including a recent probe into Qualcomm's acquisition of Israeli company Autotalks. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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