China Launches Antitrust Investigation into Apple’s App Store

China has initiated another antitrust investigation, this time targeting Apple’s App Store. This announcement came just a day after Beijing officially launched similar probes into Google, Nvidia, and Intel.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is suspected of engaging in monopolistic practices by charging up to 30% commission fees on Chinese app developers distributing their products via the App Store.

Additionally, the company is accused of restricting the use of external payment services and third-party applications, which could stifle competition in the digital app market.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the country’s antitrust watchdog, argues that Apple’s policies unfairly benefit the company. Local app developers are forced to pay high fees, while Apple enjoys substantial profits from these transactions.

US-China Trade Tensions at Play

The ongoing trade conflict between the United States and China has further intensified with this development. Major Chinese tech firms, including Tencent Holdings Ltd. and ByteDance Ltd., have long expressed concerns over Apple’s restrictive policies.

Since last year, Chinese regulators have attempted to resolve these disputes through discussions with Apple executives and app developers. However, no agreement has been reached so far.

The Chinese investigation delivers a significant blow to Apple, which has long relied on its strong presence in China’s market.

According to Yahoo Finance, cited by KompasTekno on Friday (Feb 7, 2025), Apple’s pre-market stock price dropped by more than 2%, reflecting negative investor sentiment following news of the potential antitrust probe.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg has reached out to Apple and Chinese regulators for comments. However, as of the report’s publication, neither party has issued an official statement.

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