China weighs probe into Apple’s app store fees, practices

advertisement
The Apple app store. AFP
The Apple app store. AFP

China’s antitrust watchdog is laying the groundwork for a potential probe into Apple’s policies and the fees it charges app developers, part of a broader push by Beijing that risks becoming another flashpoint in the country’s trade war with the US.

The State Administration for Market Regulation is examining Apple’s policies, which include taking a cut of as much as 30 percent on in-app spending and barring external payment services and stores, people familiar with the matter said. Agency officials have spoken with Apple executives and app developers since last year, said the people, who asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive moves.

The conversations stem from long-running disputes between Apple and developers such as Tencent and ByteDance over iOS store policies — a source of tension between the US company and regulators worldwide. While Beijing has since 2024 targeted the practices of US tech firms from Nvidia to most recently Alphabet’s Google, regulators may not formally move against Apple if the current conversations go well.

Chinese regulators believe that Apple may be charging local developers unreasonably high fees, the people said. They think the barring of third-party app stores and payment methods also hinders competition and hurts local consumers, the people said. If Apple resists making changes, the government may launch a formal investigation, the people added.

Related Article
Command Economy: Definition, How It Works, and Characteristics
The Prisoner’s Dilemma in Business and the Economy
Understanding Money: Its Properties, Types, and Uses
HK Exchange Fund not intended to invest in virtual assets: HKMA
HK economy to grow in 2025 despite headwinds
Two-month high for Hong Kong Stocks by midday
State Pavilia flats priced 25pc below market rates
Trump says he plans reciprocal tariffs, will affect ‘everyone’
©2025 EcoInvest All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
  •  HOME
  •  HOT ARTICLES
  •  RECOMMENDED
  •  LATEST NEWS
  •  POPULAR POSTS
  •  RELATED ARTICLE
  •  PRIVACY POLICY
  • Home
  • HOT ARTICLES
  • RECOMMENDED
  • LATEST NEWS
  • POPULAR POSTS
  • RELATED ARTICLE
  • PRIVACY POLICY