Following Europe and Japan, Apple is opening things up for iOS users in Brazil.
Following Europe and Japan, Apple is opening things up for iOS users in Brazil.
Apple is set to allow third-party app stores on iOS in Brazil next year after settling with the country’s competition watchdog in a legal battle dating back to 2022, as reported by 9to5Mac.
According to a machine translation of a press release from the Brazilian regulator CADE, it has approved a Term of Commitment to Termination (TCC) made by Apple that obligates the company to allow third-party app stores and let developers use external payment systems. Warnings about third-party app stores and external payment systems must also have neutral wording.
Apple will be able to still charge fees, and the Brazilian publication Tecnoblog says in a machine translation that, according to CADE, those fees are:
Purchases within the App Store:
Commission of 25% (general) or 10% (special programs)
5% fee if you use Apple’s payment system
App purchases on the App Store, but directed outside the store:
No fee if the routing involves static text (no clickable link/button)
15% fee if the owner of the app puts a button/link and directs to payment on his own website (outside the app environment)
Alternative stores:
5% of Core Technology Commission
Apple has argued against opening up iOS on the grounds that it could compromise the platform’s security. But regulation in other countries has already forced the company to let users in Europe and Japan install third-party app stores, and in the US, Apple allows for external payment links.
Apple has 105 days to put the changes into place, and if it doesn’t comply with its obligations, it could be subject to a fine of up to R$150 million (about $27 million).
The company shared the following statement with 9to5Mac about the decision:
In order to comply with regulatory demands from CADE, Apple is making changes that will impact iOS apps in Brazil. While these changes will open new privacy and security risks to users, we have worked to maintain protections against some threats, including keeping in place important safeguards for younger users. These safeguards will not eliminate every risk, but they will help ensure that iOS remains the best, most secure mobile platform available in Brazil and we will continue to advocate on behalf of users and developers.
Update, December 23rd: Added fee structure reported by Tecnoblog.
