Chinese developers file antitrust complaint against Apple over App Store removal policies, excessive fees

Citing monopolistic behavior in how it reviews, posts, and removes apps from the App Stores, a cadre of 28 Chinese developers have filed a complaint against Apple, alleging antitrust violations.

The 28 developers filed through Beijing's Dare & Sure law firm, according to a report by Reuters. The complaint alleges that the apps are removed by Apple without notice, and the company doesn't give details on why — and when it does, the queries are not responded to in Chinese.

Developers are also complaining about excessive fees for in-app purchases.

"During its localization process Apple has run into several antitrust issues," Lin Wei of Dare & Sure said. "After an initial investigation we consulted a number of enterprises and got a very strong response."

The law firm invited developers to join the complain in April. The complaint, including unnamed developers, was filed on Tuesday with China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the National Development and Reform Commission.

Apple issued a blanket statement, referring to its terms and conditions for developers, including fees. In the statement, Apple noted that most Chinese App Store submission are approved to be on the store "within 48 hours, or less." It went on to state that the rules for the app store, including transaction fees, apply equally to all developers in every country, and in accordance with those universal rules there is an appeal process for developers that feel that apps were removed in error.

The Chinese developer's complaints appear to include Apple's revision on it's "tipping" policy for digital content providers. Once banned, Apple changed its rules to allow the tips through in-app purchases — but is taking its customary cut of such transactions.

26 Comments

charlesatlas 401 comments · 9 Years

About 7 years ago

Seeing as how Apple doesn't have dominant market share for smartphones in China, it can't be called a monopoly. Case dismissed.

rob bonner 237 comments · 12 Years

As a developer that has witnessed the appeal process on a few apps that were edgy I can say that the appeals process can be a black hole. When they say no very little actual information on the decision or way to find out is provided.

holyone 398 comments · 8 Years

Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future :p

blastdoor 3560 comments · 15 Years

charlesatlas said:

Seeing as how Apple doesn't have dominant market share for smartphones in China, it can't be called a monopoly. Case dismissed.

From a substantive / common-sense perspective I entirely agree.

In many countries, though, the laws are not always perfectly aligned with common sense. I'm not sure how well aligned China's antitrust laws are with common sense.

avon b7 8003 comments · 20 Years

holyone said:

Awh, are people still on this ? If you don't like the landlord's rules move, the Chinies people need to deal with theire government, every free and democratic nation got that freedom by fighting for it, they can't expect foreign business entities to do it for them, every freedom and privilege enjoyed anywhere was paid for with blood, this is why its treasured so. Lets hope that the "Asian spring" is coming in the not too distant future :p

It isn't as easy or clearcut as you make it seem. If you consider the landlord's rules to be illegal in some way, what should you do? Just move out and let things stand?