Chinese developers have earned more selling apps on Apple's iOS platform than devs from any other country, Apple CEO Tim Cook said on Sunday (via Bloomberg). His comments were made in a keynote speech given at China's annual state-run World Internet Conference, which aims to develop the digital economy, while operating under the rubric of respecting the right of sovereign nations to regulate and control public internet access.

Cook said developers on its iOS platform number 1.8 million in China, collectively earning a total of $16.9 billion, which is roughly a quarter of total global App Store earnings. Apple said earlier this year that the global developer community has earned over $70 billion since the App Store launched in 2008.

1512285651734094802

Tim Cook delivers a speech at the Fourth World Internet Conference (Photo: IC)

"The theme of this conference – developing a digital economy for openness and shared benefits – is a vision we at Apple share," Cook said. "We are proud to have worked alongside many of our partners in China to help build a community that will join a common future in cyberspace."

China's cyber regulation has stepped up in the last year, with new rules coming into force that require companies to store data locally and make data available for surveillance measures. Apple was the first foreign tech firm to announce amendments to its data storage arrangements in China, when the cybersecurity laws came into effect in June.

"Much has been said of the potential downsides of AI, but I don't worry about machines thinking like humans. I worry about people thinking like machines," he said. "We all have to work to infuse technology with humanity, with our values."

Technology of the future should have openness, creativity and safeguards to protect users while providing privacy and decency, he added.

Cook's words appeared carefully chosen so as not to upset his Chinese hosts, who routinely curtail access to online services seen as a potential threat to the country's internal cohesion. Facebook and Instagram have been blocked by China's Cyberspace Administration since 2009 and 2014, respectively. Encrypted messaging service Telegram was also blocked inside China after it became popular with the country's human rights lawyers, while several VPN apps – which are commonly used to evade censorship and access services abroad – were recently pulled from China's App Store in compliance with stricter state rules.

The Wuzhen-based conference was opened earlier on Sunday with comments from Chinese president Xi Junping, read by the head of the government's publicity department, in which Xi advocated for "cyber sovereignty", the idea that states should be permitted to manage and contain their own internet without external interference.

"Developments online are raising many new challenges to sovereignty and security, and China is willing to work with the international community to respect cyberspace sovereignty and promote partnerships," said Xi in the note. "The development of China's cyberspace is entering a fast lane... China's doors will only become more and more open."

China remains the world's biggest smartphone market, one which historically Apple has struggled to penetrate. The company shipped an estimated 11 million iPhones in China last quarter, up 40 percent from the year-ago quarter, despite six consecutive quarters of declining iPhone sales in the region.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Top Rated Comments

MH01 Avatar
102 months ago
Says it all - Tim choosing his words carefully not not upset his hosts . Guys a massive hypocrite - at least the other CEOs acknowledge they are there just for profit, be it east or west, Tim fakesness when it comes to China....or west.... or both is a huge dispointment .

China is a huge market , with huge profits to be made. That is the reality , and shows how our companies kiss ass to do business .... even if they pretend to be all fluffy and nice.... realty , it's all about the $$$$
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kabeyun Avatar
102 months ago
Says it all - Tim choosing his words carefully not not upset his hosts . Guys a massive hypocrite - at least the other CEOs acknowledge they are there just for profit, be it east or west, Tim fakesness when it comes to China....or west.... or both is a huge dispointment .

China is a huge market , with huge profits to be made. That is the reality , and shows how our companies kiss ass to do business .... even if they pretend to be all fluffy and nice.... realty , it's all about the $$$$
To be CEO of a multinational corporation, let alone the world’s most valuable one, is also to be a politician, not just a business expert. You develop business, i.e. profit, around the world as effectively as possible. Yes, exactly; he’s choosing his words carefully. Wise politicians speak delicately when they’re trying to get their way, especially in potentially hostile territory. Wise politicians don’t stamp their feet, pout about unfairness, and take a dump in the lap of countries where they’re trying to foster business, especially countries as state-controlled at China. I’m sure it looks different from the comfort of a slacktivist’s living room couch, but that’s why he’s him and we’re us.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IPPlanMan Avatar
102 months ago
Says it all - Tim choosing his words carefully not not upset his hosts . Guys a massive hypocrite - at least the other CEOs acknowledge they are there just for profit, be it east or west, Tim fakesness when it comes to China....or west.... or both is a huge dispointment .

China is a huge market , with huge profits to be made. That is the reality , and shows how our companies kiss ass to do business .... even if they pretend to be all fluffy and nice.... realty , it's all about the $$$$
Exactly.

Tim willingly suspends his principles for Chinese money and production efficiency.

If Tim was really against Chinese censorship, he’d suspend business and ties with the regime and manufacture devices in other countries, including the United States.

I’m disappointed to see this hypocritical behavior by him, but not surprised.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
102 months ago
Says it all - Tim choosing his words carefully not not upset his hosts . Guys a massive hypocrite - at least the other CEOs acknowledge they are there just for profit, be it east or west, Tim fakesness when it comes to China....or west.... or both is a huge dispointment .

China is a huge market , with huge profits to be made. That is the reality , and shows how our companies kiss ass to do business .... even if they pretend to be all fluffy and nice.... realty , it's all about the $$$$
Go ahead and be a foreign social justice warrior running a huge company and insult a major trading partner and manufacturing base. I’m sure the employees you’d have to lay off as a result would be comforted by it.

Or if you feel so strongly about it, go become CEO of Apple and show everyone how it’s done.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alex2792 Avatar
102 months ago
Tim Cook also threatens to boycott a state over a tranny bathroom bill while happily selling iPhones in Saudi Arabia. I think it’s safe to say that he’s a hypocrite of the highest order.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
25ghosts Avatar
102 months ago
Tim Cook should focus more on the deteriorating quality of his software rather than portraying the global player.

Either Tim doesn't use Apple's software or he has no taste !

Either way, he is turning Apple in to a Microsoft-like company. Where quality suffers.

What Steve left him, could have been sold and ran by a 5 year old and it would still take a decade to turn in to rubble. 2024 - Apple will not be anything like it is today unless they find someone with taste and mass-empathy to run and lead the company !
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Event in October? Here's What to Expect

Monday September 29, 2025 9:31 am PDT by
Apple's annual iPhone event is in the rearview mirror, but rumors suggest the company plans to release a handful of additional products before the year ends. Will there be another Apple event this October? We discuss the possibility below. Apple in October Apple's most recent October events were in 2021 and 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Apple did not host an October event. Instead, it...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro teal 1

Apple's iPhone Driver's License Feature Now Available in 11 U.S. States

Tuesday September 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Apple recently revealed that the feature would soon be available in North Dakota, and starting today, the feature has officially gone...
maxresdefault

New iPad Pro With M5 Chip Leaked in Unboxing Video

Tuesday September 30, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
An apparent unboxing video for an unannounced iPad Pro with the M5 chip was uploaded to YouTube today by Russian channel Wylsacom. The same YouTube account leaked the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip before it was announced by Apple last year, so this is likely a legitimate leak. Based on the box shown in the video, this appears to be a 13-inch iPad Pro with an M5 chip, 256GB of...
fcc vision pro leak

FCC Accidentally Leaks Apple's Next Vision Pro

Tuesday September 30, 2025 3:48 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has seemingly confirmed Apple's work on an updated version of the Vision Pro headset. One of several documents the FCC shared today references an Apple-designed "Head Mounted Device" with a model number of A3416. An included image confirms the device is a Vision Pro. The FCC's uploads are transmission tests, SAR test reports, and...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.0.1 With Fixes for Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Camera Issues on iPhone 17 Models

Monday September 29, 2025 10:12 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1, the first updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out earlier this week. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes for the update, iOS 26.0.1 addresses a bug that could cause aberrations in...
space black mbp

Here's Every New Apple Product That Leaked Yesterday

Wednesday October 1, 2025 8:27 am PDT by
A handful of upcoming Apple products leaked yesterday, through a combination of YouTube videos out of Russia and U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) documents that were released, despite Apple's confidentiality requests. The leaked products include an iPad Pro with an M5 chip, as well as updated MacBook Pro and Apple Vision Pro models. All of these devices had already been rumored...
macbook pro prime day 2025

FCC Leaks Upcoming MacBook Pro and More

Tuesday September 30, 2025 1:58 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission has confirmed Apple's work on a new version of the MacBook Pro and several other products, leaking details on the devices ahead of launch. The FCC published documents that reference model numbers that do not correspond with existing devices. A3434, for example, references an unreleased MacBook Pro, while other numbers are likely for...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pro Nears Mass Production, But Four Bigger Upgrades Expected Next Year

Sunday September 28, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next MacBook Pro models will enter mass production soon, according to the latest information shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said he continues to believe the new MacBook Pro models will be released at some point between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meaning they should be available to order by March at the latest. Apple often...
iOS 26

Apple Continues to Prepare iOS 26.0.1 With Multiple Bug Fixes Expected

Sunday September 28, 2025 1:30 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The account initially said iOS 26.0.1 would have a build number of 23A350, but they now expect the update to have a build number of 23A355. This suggests that the software update will include more bug fixes or changes than initially...
Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Thursday September 25, 2025 1:11 pm PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept based on rumors This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report last month, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform ...