Apple(US:AAPL) Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-12-23 08:05Core Viewpoint - Apple Inc. has been fined €98.635 million (approximately ¥817 million) by the Italian Competition and Market Authority for abusing its market dominance through its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) policy, which is seen as anti-competitive [2][12] Group 1: Fines and Legal Issues - This is not the first fine for Apple regarding the ATT policy; in March, the company was fined €150 million (approximately ¥1.242 billion) by the French Competition Authority for similar reasons [2][6] - Apple has accumulated fines exceeding ¥20.7 billion this year alone due to various anti-competitive practices across multiple European countries [2][8] - The company faces potential fines of up to $38 billion (approximately ¥267.1 billion) in India related to its refusal to allow third-party payment systems [7][17] Group 2: ATT Policy and Market Impact - The ATT policy, introduced in April 2021, requires third-party app developers to obtain explicit user consent to collect data, but it imposes repetitive consent requests that do not align with Italian privacy laws [3][13] - Apple's approach has been criticized for creating a double standard, where its own apps require only a single consent for data collection, while third-party apps face stricter requirements [4][14] - The enforcement of the ATT policy has been deemed to harm the interests of Apple's business partners, particularly those reliant on advertising revenue [4][15] Group 3: Consumer Sentiment and Market Dynamics - There is growing dissatisfaction among consumers in China regarding Apple's market practices, with many calling for similar penalties to be imposed domestically [2][19] - Apple's commission rates, known as the "Apple Tax," have been reduced in various regions, but remain the highest in China at 30% and 15% for different categories [19] - The fines and regulatory scrutiny have led Apple to adjust its practices in response to international pressure, indicating a shift in its market strategy [19][8]