A Brazilian judge has ordered Apple to permit app sideloading within 90 days, referencing similar rulings in other countries. This decision follows pressure from developers and underscores ongoing antitrust issues. Apple plans to appeal, citing privacy and security concerns.
A Brazilian judge has mandated that Apple must enable app sideloading within 90 days, allowing users to bypass the App Store. This ruling comes in the wake of similar frameworks established in various jurisdictions, highlighting that Apple has complied elsewhere without negative consequences to its business model, as stated by Judge Pablo Zuniga.
Previously, Brazil’s antitrust agency CADE had imposed a 20-day directive requiring Apple to permit app downloads and purchases outside the App Store, but Apple contested this ruling, citing implementation challenges. The Brazilian court labeled the appeals as reasonable, granting Apple additional time but also necessitating a public hearing on the matter.
After another appeal from CADE, the court reaffirmed the requirement for Apple to allow sideloading and third-party app stores within a three-month window or face penalties. The legal challenges were initiated by Mercado Libre, a Latin American e-commerce entity that identified issues with Apple’s commission fees imposed on developers, which subsequently attracted attention from other developers such as Match and Epic Games.
Apple expressed its commitment to competitive markets but cautioned that the mandated changes could compromise the privacy and security of its iOS ecosystem. The company plans to appeal this latest ruling, aiming to protect its operational framework.
The Brazilian court’s order requiring Apple to enable app sideloading marks a significant shift in app distribution protocols, mirroring similar developments in other regions. The ruling underscores ongoing antitrust concerns regarding Apple’s App Store practices and reflects the growing demand for more flexible app distribution options. Apple’s potential appeal indicates that legal and regulatory challenges in the tech industry will continue to evolve.
Original Source: www.engadget.com
