China Launches Probes into Google and Apple Over Antitrust Concerns
China has recently initiated investigations into both Google and Apple, raising concerns over potential antitrust violations.
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is considering whether to formally investigate Apple’s App Store practices, particularly focusing on the fees Apple charges and its policies that block third-party payment providers. This move has already caused Apple’s shares to fall.
In addition to the probe into Apple, China has also opened a separate investigation into Google, although details about the focus of this investigation have not been disclosed. These probes come at a time when trade tensions between the U.S. and China are escalating under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Apple’s app store under scrutiny
Apple’s App Store has been under scrutiny globally, with regulators in Europe recently forcing the company to open up its App Store under the Digital Markets Act, allowing non-Apple companies to offer app stores and app developers to use third-party payment systems.
If the China probe goes ahead, it would pose further challenges for Apple in one of its largest markets, where it is already facing stiff competition from local companies such as Huawei.
Google, on the other hand, has not yet commented on the specifics of the investigation, but the move highlights the increasing regulatory pressures faced by U.S. tech giants in China.
Both companies will need to navigate these investigations carefully as they continue to operate in a highly competitive and regulated environment.
The outcome of these probes could have significant implications for the tech industry, potentially leading to changes in how these companies operate in China and other markets.
As the investigations unfold, the world will be watching closely to see how Google and Apple respond to these regulatory challenges.
