TLDRs;
- 55 Chinese iPhone users have filed an antitrust complaint accusing Apple of monopolizing app distribution and payments.
- The case claims Apple violates China’s Anti-Monopoly Law by forcing all iOS transactions through its App Store and IAP system.
- China’s regulators have intensified scrutiny of U.S. tech firms, but penalties so far remain relatively small.
- If regulators act, Chinese payment platforms and app stores could gain access to Apple’s ecosystem for the first time.
A new wave of legal pressure is mounting against Apple in China as a group of 55 iPhone and iPad users files a formal antitrust complaint.
The filing, lodged with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), accuses the tech giant of maintaining unfair restrictions on app distribution and payment processing within its iOS ecosystem.
The group, represented by lawyer Wang Qiongfei, claims Apple’s rules amount to monopolistic control over how apps are distributed and paid for in China. According to the complaint, Apple not only forces users and developers to transact through its own App Store but also mandates that digital goods be purchased exclusively via its in-app purchase (IAP) system, a move that allows Apple to collect commissions of up to 30% on every transaction.
Wang and his clients argue that this practice prevents fair competition and violates China’s Anti-Monopoly Law, which prohibits companies from abusing dominant market positions to restrict trade or consumer choice.
Allegations of Unequal Treatment
The complaint also highlights what users see as Apple’s double standard in how it handles app store operations across different regions.
While the company has agreed under pressure from U.S. and European regulators to permit alternative app stores and payment methods, Chinese iOS users remain restricted to Apple’s closed ecosystem.
“Apple’s regional flexibility in policy enforcement shows that the company responds only when forced,” Wang said in a public statement. “Chinese consumers deserve the same freedom of choice enjoyed elsewhere.”
This is not the first time Apple has faced such claims in China. A similar lawsuit spearheaded by Wang was dismissed by a Shanghai court in 2024, but the case is currently under appeal at China’s Supreme People’s Court, signaling that local regulators are not done scrutinizing the iPhone maker’s practices.
Growing Scrutiny of U.S. Tech in China
Apple’s legal troubles come at a time when China has ramped up antitrust oversight of foreign technology companies. The SAMR has already investigated firms like Qualcomm for alleged anti-competitive behavior and continues to emphasize “market fairness” as a key policy goal.
However, despite the publicized scrutiny, the fines imposed under the Anti-Monopoly Law remain modest. According to SAMR’s 2024 report, total fines for abuse-of-dominance cases reached only RMB 106.9 million (USD 15 million), while cartel penalties fell sharply compared to the previous year.
Industry observers note that most enforcement still leans on “soft law” tools, including administrative interviews and warning letters, rather than harsh financial penalties. Out of 2,615 cases reviewed under this non-punitive system in 2024, over 91% were handled through soft supervision rather than court action.
What’s at Stake for Apple and Developers
If Chinese regulators decide to act on this latest complaint, Apple could face significant operational changes in one of its largest markets. Analysts believe that opening iOS to third-party app stores and payment systems could create new opportunities for Chinese fintech firms and app distributors, who currently have no access to Apple’s ecosystem.
It could also attract new compliance service providers specializing in transaction monitoring and risk controls, especially under the Internet Regulation Provisions that took effect in September 2024. These rules require platforms to keep detailed records of competitive conduct for at least three years.
While the timing and outcome of the case remain uncertain, experts caution that the appeal process in China’s legal system tends to move slowly, with only a handful of Anti-Monopoly Law decisions being overturned over the past decade. For now, Apple faces not only growing legal pressure but also the risk of losing goodwill among its Chinese user base if it continues to resist regulatory reform.