Apple is facing a legal challenge from a Chinese developer, reopening the Fortnite case

Apple is once again facing legal scrutiny over its App Store practices, this time from a Chinese developer. The Beijing Intellectual Property Court has agreed to hear a lawsuit filed by Beijing Bodyreader Technology Ltd., the company behind the Bodyreader app that helps children correct their posture. The app was removed from the App Store in 2020, and the developer is now seeking around $420,000 in damages. The case is significant not only because of the amount at stake, but also because it is the second time Apple has been forced to defend its App Store policies in China, the world’s largest mobile phone market.

The lawsuit follows a similar case to Apple’s against Epic Games when the Fortnite creator tried to break Apple’s authority over the App Store in 2021. In both cases, the main issue is Apple’s anti-competitive practices or behavior in the mobile ecosystem.

Apple, for example, has long been very selective about what it allows into the App Store, though it has recently loosened up somewhat to allow in apps that will test the security of its apps. However, over time, developers have begun to resist these rules, which they consider too rigid and violate competition laws.

In the case of Bodyreader, the firm is defending itself against Apple’s actions, in which the latter banned the app because it is believed to have engaged in “dishonest” activity. This removal, according to the developer, was baseless and caused so much financial loss. , could set a precedent for further legal proceedings regarding Apple’s App Store policies, particularly as domestic Chinese developers gradually gain more market power and as China’s legal environment continues to become less favorable for foreign affairs.

This case is particularly notable because it is the first time a Chinese developer has filed such a lawsuit against Apple. Earlier this year, Apple successfully defended itself against antitrust claims brought by a Chinese consumer, although it sought to remove references to its dominant market position from the ruling. The Bodyreader case could have far-reaching implications, especially in light of growing regulatory pressure on tech giants in the US and Europe, along with growing resistance from Chinese firms asserting their own influence in the mobile ecosystem.

The trial in the Bodyreader case began this week, with a likely verdict expected within days. Strengthening the local Chinese player, if the court is on the side of the developer, may cause drastic changes in the way the App Store currently works in China.