Apple Required to Permit Sideloading in Brazil Within 90 Days
Apple has been given a 90-day deadline by a Brazilian court to allow sideloading on iPhones, permitting app installations from third-party sources. This ruling stems from disputes regarding Apple’s restrictive app distribution policies. Similar measures already exist in the EU. Apple intends to appeal, citing concerns over user safety and market competition.
Apple has been mandated by a Brazilian court to allow sideloading on iPhones within a 90-day timeframe. This development permits users to download applications directly from websites or third-party app stores, contrary to Apple’s longstanding policy of restricting app installations to its official App Store. The ruling arises from ongoing legal disputes between Apple’s practices and the Brazilian federal court.
According to the court ruling issued on Wednesday, third-party developers will be permitted to distribute their applications outside the Apple ecosystem. Historically, Apple required developers to use its platform, imposing a fee of approximately 30 percent on subscriptions or one-off purchases. While the company provides discounts for smaller developers, this practice has not been widely adopted globally.
In contrast, the European Union has seen Apple adjust some of its policies in accordance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), allowing alternative app stores since the introduction of iOS 17.4. However, this allowance comes with associated fees under Apple’s alternate terms, making the arrangement more complex. The EU is currently gathering feedback from developers regarding this new model.
The Brazilian Federal Court is contemplating a model akin to the EU’s but likely without the fees imposed by Apple. The court’s rationale is that Apple’s stringent rules hinder new developers from entering the market. This situation escalated when Brazil’s national competition authority, CADE, threatened Apple with daily fines unless they modified their app store policies in November. This request originated from MercadoLibre, a major e-commerce entity seeking autonomy over its payment methods in the App Store.
After initially succeeding in legal proceedings, in which a court deemed the fines unnecessary, Apple is currently facing renewed pressure from the Brazilian judiciary. The court refers to international examples where similar changes did not adversely affect Apple’s business model. An Apple spokesperson articulated that the company values competitive markets and believes the ruling could jeopardize user security and privacy, leading to their intent to appeal the decision.
In summary, a Brazilian court has instructed Apple to permit sideloading on iPhones within 90 days, following a lengthy legal confrontation over the company’s app distribution practices. This ruling aligns with moves made in the European Union, where alternative app stores are now functional under certain conditions. Nevertheless, Apple continues to contest this decision, emphasizing concerns over privacy and security for its users while asserting its commitment to a competitive marketplace.
Original Source: www.heise.de
