Brazil Orders Apple to Allow App Sideloading within 90 Days

A Brazilian court has ordered Apple to allow sideloading of apps within 90 days, following a similar order in Europe. Judge Pablo Zuniga stated that Apple has complied with similar obligations elsewhere without detrimental effects. The ruling stems from complaints regarding high commissions imposed by Apple. Apple plans to appeal, citing potential risks to user privacy and security.

Brazilian authorities have mandated that Apple enable app sideloading within 90 days. This ruling, as reported by Valor Econômico and seen by 9to5Mac, builds upon similar orders from European countries. Judge Pablo Zuniga noted that Apple has previously complied with such regulations without harming its business model significantly.

Earlier, Brazil’s antitrust body, CADE, instructed Apple to permit downloading apps and making purchases outside its App Store, initially providing a 20-day compliance period. Although Apple appealed, arguing the deadline was impractical, the court deemed this request disproportionate, allowing for more time while scheduling a public hearing.

In response to CADE’s appeal, the court reinforced the order for Apple to accommodate sideloading and alternative app stores in three months to avoid penalties. This litigation originated from Mercado Libre, a Latin American e-commerce company, which objected to Apple’s commission fees imposed on developers, later supported by companies such as Match and Epic Games.

Apple responded to the ruling through a spokesperson, asserting their commitment to robust market competition, while cautioning that these changes could compromise the privacy and security of iOS users. The company intends to appeal against this decision.

The Brazilian court’s ruling compelling Apple to permit app sideloading within three months underscores the growing scrutiny on tech firms regarding app distribution practices. This decision aligns Brazil’s regulatory stance with similar actions taken in Europe and reflects ongoing tensions between major tech companies and developers. As Apple prepares to appeal, the implications for user security and competitive practices remain at the forefront of this ongoing debate.

Original Source: www.engadget.com