Apple Now Faces App Store Challenges In China, Too

Apple Now Faces App Store Challenges In China, Too

Apple’s dominance over iOS app distribution has come under renewed scrutiny as Apple now faces App Store challenges in China, too . A Beijing-based law firm has filed an antitrust complaint alleging that Apple unfairly controls app distribution and payment systems within the Chinese market — reigniting a legal dispute that has been brewing for years. Image : Google New Antitrust Complaint Targets Apple’s App Store Practices According to the complaint, submitted to the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), Apple maintains a monopoly over app distribution on iPhones and iPads. The case, representing 55 Chinese users, argues that Apple restricts developers from offering third-party payment options and charges commissions of up to 30% on digital transactions. These claims echo a previous lawsuit from 2021 led by plaintiff Jin Xin, represented by the same attorney, Wang Qiongfei. That case was dismissed in 2024 by a Shanghai court, but the new filing seeks action from regulators in…