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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 16, 2026

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.

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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.

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Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Limits State Claims Over Children’s Data

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from 29 U.S. states includes a provision limiting future state claims over the company’s use of children’s data for age-assurance systems.

Under the agreement, Meta must develop, train and begin testing a system to identify users under 13 within a year of the settlement taking effect. The company already uses AI-based age-detection tools, although the agreement does not require the new system to use AI.

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States Agree To Limits On Future Claims

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) generally restricts the collection and retention of personal data from children under 13. Under the settlement, the 29 state attorneys general agreed not to bring past, present or future claims under COPPA or similar state laws over the specified use of children’s data.

Meta will not be permitted to use information from users under 13 for advertising, marketing or algorithmic optimisation.

Federal Enforcement Remains Unclear

COPPA is primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which is not a party to the agreement. That leaves open the possibility of separate federal action over how Meta collects or uses children’s data.

Another issue is whether Meta can keep age-assurance data isolated from its other systems. An independent auditor will monitor compliance, but the settlement does not fully specify what data Meta can retain for training, how long it can be stored or whether derived insights can be used elsewhere.

Legal Risks Remain

Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan, said states could still pursue claims if Meta uses the data outside the settlement’s limits. Such cases could depend on how those limits are interpreted.

Peter Jackson, a data and intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Glusker, said the provision could “disincentivize future enforcement actions.”

The agreement gives Meta greater legal certainty around using children’s data for age assurance, but questions remain over federal enforcement, data retention and secondary use.

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