Apple(US:AAPL) Huan Qiu Wang·2025-08-30 02:31Core Viewpoint - Apple has formally submitted legal documents to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, strongly opposing the punitive "anti-steering" ban imposed on its App Store [1][3] Group 1: Legal Context - The controversy originates from Epic Games' antitrust lawsuit against Apple in 2020, where the court ruled that Apple did not constitute a monopoly but found its anti-steering policy violated California's unfair competition law [3] - In 2021, a U.S. District Court judge issued a permanent injunction requiring Apple to allow developers to provide third-party payment options or external links within apps, prohibiting penalties against developers who violate this rule [3] Group 2: Apple's Response - Apple has made partial adjustments to App Store rules, such as allowing developers to push external payment information through email, but continues to challenge the ban through legal means [3] - The recent filing is Apple's latest appeal following the Ninth Circuit's decision to uphold the original ruling in April 2023 [3] Group 3: Developer Opposition - The developer community, led by Epic Games, strongly opposes Apple's anti-steering policy, labeling it as "digital tyranny" and arguing that the 30% "Apple tax" stifles innovation and forces consumers to pay higher prices [3] - According to Sensor Tower data, the global revenue from the App Store in 2023 is approximately $95 billion, with commission revenue exceeding $28 billion [3] Group 4: Regulatory Scrutiny - Global antitrust regulators are intensifying scrutiny of Apple, with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) mandating Apple to open app sideloading and third-party payments [4] - Countries like the Netherlands and South Korea have enacted legislation to limit the "Apple tax," while the U.S. Department of Justice is preparing a comprehensive antitrust lawsuit against Apple, expected to address core issues such as App Store rules and the closed nature of iMessage [4]