Apple(US:AAPL) Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2025-06-06 02:09Core Viewpoint - The report highlights the significant economic impact of the App Store, generating $1.3 trillion in developer revenue in 2024, with over 90% of this revenue going to developers without paying any commission to Apple [1][2]. Group 1: App Store Economic Impact - The App Store ecosystem has created new business opportunities and growth potential for developers globally [1]. - Over the past five years, the revenue and sales facilitated by the App Store have more than doubled in regions like the US, China, and Europe [2]. - The App Store attracts over 813 million visits weekly, providing a global platform for developers [2]. Group 2: Controversy Surrounding "Apple Tax" - "Apple Tax" refers to the 15%-30% commission Apple charges on digital content sales through the App Store, which has faced significant scrutiny and regulatory actions in 18 countries [1][4]. - Developers argue that "Apple Tax" increases operational costs, particularly affecting small teams and individual developers [1]. - The current commission rates in China are among the highest globally, with standard rates of 30% for large enterprises and 15% for small developers [3]. Group 3: Legal Challenges and Changes - A recent US court ruling prohibits Apple from charging commissions on purchases made through external channels, allowing developers to direct users to alternative payment methods [6][8]. - This ruling is a result of a long-standing antitrust lawsuit initiated by Epic Games, which claims Apple maintains a monopoly in the app distribution market [7]. - The ruling could weaken Apple's control over its App Store ecosystem, providing developers and users with more choices [8]. Group 4: Regulatory Actions and Global Response - The European Union has also taken action against Apple, imposing a €500 million fine for restricting developers from directing users to third-party payment options [9]. - Apple's service revenue, including App Store fees, has been increasing, with a reported $26.34 billion in service revenue for Q1 2025, reflecting a 14% year-over-year growth [9].