Apple has been given a 90-day deadline by a Brazilian court to allow sideloading on iPhones, ending its prior restrictions on app installations outside of its App Store. This ruling follows past disputes with Brazilian authorities and reflects evolving global attitudes towards app marketplace regulation, particularly in contrast to the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Apple has stated its intention to appeal the ruling, citing concerns regarding user privacy and security.
Apple has been mandated by a Brazilian court to permit sideloading on iPhones within 90 days. This development marks a significant shift, as Apple has historically restricted the installation of applications outside its official iOS App Store. The ruling comes amid a protracted dispute between Apple and Brazilian authorities, and the company is poised to contest this decision.
The court ruling, issued recently, states that third-party developers must also be allowed to distribute their applications outside of Apple’s App Store, potentially through their own platforms. Throughout most countries, Apple has maintained stringent app distribution rules, requiring developers to utilize its platform and pay fees that can reach 30% for paid applications. This fee can be reduced for smaller developers.
In contrast, the European Union has recently mandated similar measures through the Digital Markets Act (DMA), where alternative app marketplaces became available on iPhones as of iOS 17.4, despite Apple imposing its own fees based on installation rates. The EU is currently evaluating the impact of these changes on developers.
Brazil’s Federal Court is exploring a model akin to the EU’s, which may not include Apple’s fees. The court’s rationale centers around concerns that Apple’s stringent regulations hinder new developers from entering the market. This inquiry follows a prior ultimatum from Brazil’s competition watchdog, CADE, which threatened Apple with daily fines equivalent to €41,000 unless it reformed its app store policies, stemming from a request by the e-commerce platform MercadoLibre.
Although Apple initially successfully contested this matter legally, arguing that the required changes were not urgent and detrimental to its business, the Brazilian judiciary has now reinstated the deadline for compliance. The court noted that similar changes in other jurisdictions did not detrimentally affect Apple’s business model.
An Apple spokesperson remarked to Valor Econômico that while the company supports competitive markets, it remains concerned that such changes might compromise the privacy and security of iOS users, indicating plans to appeal the ruling.
In summary, Apple’s enforced compliance with sideloading regulations in Brazil represents a notable shift in its app distribution policies. This decision comes amid increasing scrutiny of app marketplace practices globally, notably from the EU. While Apple plans to appeal the ruling, the outcome could pave the way for broader app market accessibility, impacting developers and users alike.
Original Source: www.heise.de
