Apple(US:AAPL) 3 6 Ke·2025-10-21 00:19Core Viewpoint - A group of 55 Chinese consumers has submitted a complaint to the State Administration for Market Regulation, accusing Apple Inc. of abusing its market dominance in China through practices such as forced transactions, bundling, and charging "unfairly high prices," which harm the legitimate rights of Chinese consumers [1][2]. Group 1: Complaint Details - The complaint requests the regulatory authority to investigate Apple's alleged monopolistic behaviors, including limiting transactions and bundling, which forces Chinese consumers to use Apple's In-App Purchase (IAP) system for digital goods and services [2][3]. - The complaint also highlights that Apple charges up to 30% commission on IAP transactions, which is considered an unfair pricing practice [4]. Group 2: Specific Demands - The consumers demand that Apple be ordered to open third-party payment channels to Chinese consumers, allowing developers to guide consumers to any third-party platform for purchases without charging any commission [5]. - They also request that Apple allow access to iOS applications outside of the App Store, including third-party app stores and web sideloading, without imposing any fees [5]. Group 3: Market Discrimination - The complaint argues that Chinese consumers face national discrimination, as they are unable to use third-party payment channels and app stores, unlike consumers in the US and EU [6][7]. - It is noted that the "Apple tax" burden on Chinese consumers is the highest globally, with a projected payment of $6.44 billion in 2024, surpassing Europe [9][18]. Group 4: Global Context - The complaint references legal actions taken against Apple in various countries, including Japan, Australia, and Colombia, which have also accused Apple of monopolistic practices [10][20]. - The complaint emphasizes that Apple has relaxed its policies in the US and EU but continues to enforce strict rules in China, leading to a significant disparity in commission rates and payment options [7][19]. Group 5: Financial Impact - The complaint calculates that the "Apple tax" constitutes 10% of Apple's revenue in China, compared to 8.8% in the US and only 4.6% in Europe, indicating a disproportionate financial burden on Chinese consumers [9][18]. - Predictions suggest that by 2026, the "Apple tax" in China could reach $8.1 billion, making it the highest globally, further highlighting the financial implications for Chinese consumers [19].