Apple taxes Chinese content creators

Apple has effectively levied a 30% tax on ‘tips’ paid to content creators via social media apps by grateful fans wanting to reward them for their work – a risky move according to the South China Morning Post. Upsetting some of the country’s most influential people – internet celebrities such as live streamers and online writers – by taking such a hefty chunk of their revenues could make things a whole lot worse for Apple, whose own revenues from China have been eroded by domestic rivals. “Apple is expecting to see a big boost in its revenue in China in the near term,” said Kitty Fok, managing director of IDC China. “However, it may not be a wise move in the long run because these content creators, who are influential in China’s virtual world, may discourage people from buying Apple’s iPhones because the new policy will dampen their income.”