Apple must ease its App Store restrictions and address “monopolistic” practices, according to the Chinese Communist Party’s flagship newspaper, People’s Daily, just days after the iPhone maker made a significant concession by agreeing to lower its commission fees in the local App Store.
The move demonstrates that Chinese regulators are making progress in combating anti-competitive behavior, the paper said in a Tuesday commentary. However, it noted that Chinese users and developers continue to face numerous barriers, including the inability to use third-party payment services. The market is now closely watching whether Apple will ultimately tear down its “fence” and fully open its ecosystem.
The frank editorial underscored how Apple, which has clashed with Tencent Holdings Ltd. and ByteDance Ltd. over its iOS app store policies, may continue to face pressure from Beijing. Last week, the US company announced that it’s dropping its typical commission on mainland app store purchases to 25% from 30% — a big climbdown by the Cupertino, California-based firm in its most important market after the US.
“In point of fact, Apple’s App Store has long been criticized by the market for alleged monopolistic practices,” the People’s Daily wrote. “In contrast, Android is highly open, supporting not only Google Play Store but also app stores from manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi, as well as third-party app stores.”
“Tougher antitrust scrutiny of big tech firms has become an irreversible trend,” the People’s Daily wrote. Stronger regulation is needed to safeguard fair competition as AI deepens tech companies’ influence on daily life, it wrote.
MacDailyNews Take: Cook’s going to need to schedule yet another CCP kowtow tour (and further accelerate assembly in India) ASAP!
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