Chinese Developer Sues Apple Over App Store Policies

Beijing Bodyreader Technology Ltd. has filed a lawsuit against Apple in Beijing's Intellectual Property Court, challenging its App Store practices after their posture correction app was removed in 2020 for alleged 'dishonest' behavior. The developer seeks approximately $420,000 in damages and argues that Apple's enforcement of its policies is inconsistent, citing the acceptance of an identical app under a different name. This marks only the second time Apple has faced such legal scrutiny in China, a critical market, and echoes aspects of the 2021 Epic Games lawsuit. Bodyreader accuses Apple of monopolistic practices, including its 30% commission on app purchases, and demands support for third-party app stores and payment methods. The case underscores growing tensions over Apple's control of its ecosystem, with closed-door hearings underway, and analysts suggest this could lead to further examination of Apple's platform rules in China.