Chinese Users File Antitrust Complaint Against Apple App Store Monopoly

A group of 55 Chinese iPhone and iPad users, represented by lawyer Wang Qiongfei, has filed a complaint with China's State Administration for Market Regulation alleging that Apple maintains a monopoly over app distribution and payment systems on iOS devices in China by restricting users to its App Store and enforcing its In-App Purchase system. The complaint highlights that while Apple has allowed alternative app stores and payment methods in markets like Europe and the US to comply with competition laws, it continues restrictive practices in China, leading to high commission fees of up to 30%. This new complaint follows a similar lawsuit from 2021, which was dismissed in 2024 and is currently under appeal to China's Supreme People's Court. The case reflects China's increasing regulatory scrutiny of tech companies amid ongoing trade tensions with the US, including previous government threats of an App Store probe linked to reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Trump. Observers suggest that if successful, the complaint could lead to lower prices for Chinese consumers, greater app developer freedom, and pressure on Apple to standardize its policies globally. Apple has not publicly commented on the new complaint.