55 Chinese Consumers File Joint Complaint Against Apple, Accusing It of "Double Standards" and Abuse of Market Power
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55 Chinese consumers filed an Antitrust complaint accusing Apple of abusing market power and enforcing tougher AppStore rules in China than in the US and EU.
On October 20, a group of 55 Chinese consumers submitted a joint complaint to China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), accusing Apple Inc. of abusing its dominant market position in China. The complaint alleges that Apple has engaged in practices such as forced transactions, product tying, anti-steering clauses, and charging "excessively high commissions," and calls for regulators to launch an official investigation and order corrective measures.
Represented by Wang Qiongfei and Tian Junwei, the complainants claim that Apple forces Chinese users to download iOS apps exclusively through the App Store and to use Apple's in-app purchase (IAP) system for digital goods and services—charging commissions of up to 30%. Developers are prohibited from directing users to alternative payment methods. The complainants argue that these practices constitute restricted trade and unfair pricing, infringing on consumer rights.
The complaint outlines three main demands:
- Open third-party payment channels to Chinese users and waive all related commissions;
- Allow third-party app stores and web-based sideloading;
- Lower IAP commission rates to no higher than Apple's lowest rate in other global markets.
The consumers allege that Apple enforces its strictest global policies in China, while offering more relaxed rules in the U.S. and EU.
In the United States, a federal court has ruled that Apple must allow consumers to choose third-party payment options. In the European Union, Apple eased restrictions following a €500 million fine, reducing commissions to as low as 10–12% for external payment channels. By contrast, Chinese users remain restricted to Apple's IAP system, subject to a 30% "Apple tax," with anti-steering clauses still in effect.
Citing public data, the complaint states that Chinese users paid an estimated $6.44 billion in "Apple taxes" in 2024—around 10% of Apple's China revenue, compared with 8.8% in the U.S. and 4.6% in Europe. If lower commission rates continue abroad, China could become Apple's highest-burden market by 2026, with total "Apple tax" payments projected to reach $8.1 billion.
The complainants also noted that regulators in Japan, South Korea, Australia, Russia, and Colombia have all launched antitrust actions against Apple, demanding the company open access to third-party payment and app distribution channels.
The group urged Chinese regulators to open a formal investigation to protect the rights and interests of domestic consumers.
(Source: “KeyPoints” column, Huxiu)
