Apple lowers commission fees in China’s App Store after regulatory pressure
Apple will reduce its commission fee for developers in the Chinese App Store from 30% to 25% starting March 15. For members of the Small Business and Mini Apps Partner programs, the commission will drop from 15% to 12%.
The move follows increasing pressure from Chinese regulators, according to the state newspaper Economic Daily.
The publication estimates that the new policy could help developers save more than 6 billion yuan annually, or roughly $873 million. Part of these savings may translate into lower costs for users, including spending on subscriptions, in-app purchases, and tips during livestreams.
Global pressure on the “Apple tax”
The App Store commission, often referred to as the “Apple tax,” has been under scrutiny from regulators worldwide for several years.
In the European Union, Apple had to adjust its fee structure following the implementation of the Digital Markets Act, lowering commissions for certain transactions to between 10% and 17%.
In the United States, the company has also faced antitrust cases and legal challenges that forced it to introduce alternative payment options for developers.
Analysts say Apple’s decision in China may signal a broader shift in the company’s platform policies as governments around the world push for more competition and lower fees in digital marketplaces.
