Apple Opens App Store to Alternative Marketplaces in Brazil After Regulatory Deal
Apple is now permitting developers in Brazil to distribute iOS apps via alternative marketplaces and use third-party payment systems. These changes, effective on iOS 26.5+, stem from a settlement with Brazil's competition watchdog, CADE, following a 2022 dispute. The move loosens Apple's App Store control in another market, with safeguards for privacy and security.
Key points
- Apple now allows developers in Brazil to distribute iOS apps through alternative marketplaces and utilize external payment methods.
- These changes comply with an agreement with Brazil's competition regulator, CADE, resolving a dispute that began in 2022.
- The new rules are available on iOS version 26.5 and later.
- Apple has implemented safeguards, including app notarization and marketplace authorization, to address privacy and security concerns.
- This follows similar App Store modifications made by Apple in the European Union and Japan due to regulatory pressures.
Apple has announced significant adjustments to its App Store policies in Brazil, enabling developers to distribute applications through alternative marketplaces and accept payments outside of Apple's integrated system. These changes, rolling out today for users on iOS 26.5 and above, are a direct result of a settlement reached with Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).
The agreement addresses a dispute initiated in 2022 and marks another instance where Apple is compelled by regulators to open its iOS ecosystem. Similar revisions have previously been implemented in the European Union and Japan. While developers can now offer apps and payments through third-party channels, alternative marketplaces must undergo an authorization process with Apple and meet specific requirements. Developers distributing apps through the App Store can also offer alternative payment options or link to external websites for transactions.
Apple has stated that these modifications introduce potential privacy and security risks, particularly for younger users. To mitigate these concerns, the company has introduced new safeguards, including a notarization process for apps distributed outside the App Store, authorization for alternative marketplaces, and limitations on external payment links for users under 18. The company has also updated its developer agreements to reflect these new terms and introduced a new commission structure for apps distributed on the platform.
Sources
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