A group of 55 Chinese iPhone and iPad users has filed an administrative complaint with the Chinese market authorities for alleged monopolistic practices linked to the App Store, focused on application distribution and payment terms within the platform.
The initiative comes at a time of strong trade tension between Beijing and Washington and has been registered with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). According to the sources consulted, Apple has not offered comment for the moment on these allegations.
What exactly is being reported?
The plaintiffs claim that Apple maintains a exclusive control over the distribution of apps on iOS within China and imposes conditions that, in its opinion, violate the country's Antimonopoly Law, especially regarding digital purchases and payment methods.
- In-app purchases as a mandatory channel for acquiring digital content and services.
- Distribution limited to the App Store, preventing iOS downloads outside of the Apple store.
- Commissions of up to 30% applied to transactions made in the apps.
Furthermore, the whistleblowers claim that, following regulatory pressure in other territories, Apple has begun allowing alternative payment methods and third-party stores outside of China, citing the regulatory push of the European Union and the United States as a relevant precedent.
Who is behind it and the status of the process
The complaint is led by the lawyer Wang Qiongfei, who already brought a previous case regarding App Store commissions. That case, initiated in 2021, was dismissed last year by a Shanghai court, which has not prevented the legal team from taking the matter up again through administrative channels.
The same firm maintains an appeal opened before the Supreme People's Court related to the previous civil case. According to reports, the highest court held a hearing in December and the ruling remains pending, with no public timetable for its resolution.
Wang is confident that this administrative case will move forward more quickly than the original civil suit, as it is a channel where the regulator can requesting information, opening an investigation and taking action without the need for a full judicial process.
International context and regulatory movement
In recent years, the global environment has put the spotlight on the App distribution platforms and their feesChanges have been pushed through in several jurisdictions that open the door to alternative payments and third-party stores, a debate that is now being strongly reflected in the Chinese market.
At the same time, the country has intensified its scrutiny of foreign technology companies. Among other actions, authorities have initiated antitrust investigations into firms like Qualcomm, linked to strategic operations such as the acquisition of auto talksThis regulatory shift provides the backdrop for the complaint against the App Store.
Industry sources point out that, although in some markets Apple has introduced changes due to regulatory mandates, there is no certainty that these measures are automatically replicated in China, where the legal framework and industrial policy priorities are different.
What could come next?
If the SAMR deems it appropriate, it could open a formal investigation to determine whether there are restrictive practices against competition. Potential solutions include behavioral remedies (such as adjustments to distribution or payment rules), possible financial penalties or the filing of the case if no infringement is found.
For local users and developers, a possible regulatory change could translate into alternative payment methods and, eventually, the arrival of third-party app stores to the iOS ecosystem in China. However, any changes will depend on the regulator's decision and how Apple adapts its policies in the country.
The deadlines are uncertain: even with a more agile administrative route, technical queries, requirements and analysis may prolong the process. In the meantime, the sector remains attentive to whether this file becomes a reference case for the Chinese mobile market.
The initiative of 55 users puts back at the center of the debate the App Store model in China: from the distribution monopoly attributed to it to the impact of commissions on prices and innovationAll of this under a more rigorous regulatory climate and with a court ruling still pending.