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Apple Cuts App Store Commission In China To 25% For Developers

New Commission Rates In China

Apple has announced a reduction in its App Store commission rate in China, lowering the fee from 30% to 25% for paid apps and in-app purchases. Additionally, the commission for auto-renewals will drop from 15% to 12% after the first year. This decision, made after discussions with Chinese regulators, will take effect on March 15, 2026, and does not require developers to accept new terms.

China’s Role In Apple’s Growth Strategy

The streamlined adjustment in China, executed without a prolonged public dispute, underlines the strategic importance of the Chinese market for Apple. Strong iPhone sales and revenue growth of 16% year-over-year in China, as reported in the first quarter, have contributed to a record-breaking quarter for the tech giant. This move reinforces Apple’s commitment to fair and transparent pricing for developers within one of its key markets.

Contrasting Global Regulatory Landscapes

While China experiences a relatively smooth transition, Apple’s dealings in other regions reveal more complex regulatory challenges. In the European Union, Apple has engaged in a protracted dialogue with regulators regarding commission structures, with ongoing adjustments and discussions noted in various reports. Meanwhile, in the United States, despite a legal battle with Epic Games that resulted in a ruling allowing developers to redirect users to alternative payment systems, Apple has maintained its existing commission structure, albeit with select discount programs for small businesses.

Documentation And Developer Terms

Apple said the updated commission rates are reflected in the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. The company said the revised structure in China will not exceed commission rates offered to developers in other markets.

Passkeys Are The Gold Standard For Account Security. So Why Don’t More Major Apps Offer Them?

Passkeys are increasingly being promoted as one of the most effective ways to protect online accounts. By reducing reliance on passwords, they help prevent phishing attacks, simplify sign-ins and strengthen account security. Despite those advantages, however, many major digital platforms have yet to adopt the technology.

A Security Upgrade Still Missing At Scale

That gap is the focus of whynopasskeys.com, a new site created by security researcher Scott Helme to highlight companies that have not yet enabled passkeys for their users. The site tracks major consumer brands that continue to rely on older login methods even as passkeys become the industry standard.

Among the services still without passkey support are Instagram, Netflix and Spotify, according to the site’s data.

Why Passkeys Matter

Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are generated on a user’s device and linked both to that device and to a specific website or application. Authentication can be completed through biometrics such as Face ID or Touch ID, a hardware security key or a password manager.

Because users do not need to create or remember passwords, opportunities for credential theft, phishing attacks and password reuse are significantly reduced. In most cases, gaining access to an account would require direct access to the user’s device.

Public Accountability As A Pressure Tactic

In a blog post explaining the project, Helme said the goal is to create pressure by making the absence of passkey support visible. “A list is a surprisingly effective motivator. Nobody wants to be on the list,” he wrote.

That approach has already worked elsewhere in cybersecurity: when businesses are publicly compared against peers on basic protections, they often move faster to close the gap. In this case, the list is intended to push platforms to give users a stronger and simpler login option.

The Companies Moving Faster

Many large technology companies have already adopted passkeys, including Apple, Google and Microsoft, reflecting the technology’s growing role in account security.

Implementation, however, remains uneven. Instagram users can currently access passkeys only when their account is linked to a Facebook account that already has passkey support enabled, highlighting differences in adoption even within the same company.

The Bigger Business Question

Meta has not publicly explained why passkeys are available on some of its platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, but not fully across Instagram.

Debate within the industry is no longer centred on whether passkeys work, but on how quickly companies are willing to deploy them. As phishing, credential theft and account fraud remain persistent cybersecurity challenges, passkeys are increasingly being viewed not as an optional feature but as an emerging security standard.

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