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Apple Agrees to Open iOS in Brazil to Third‑Party App Stores, Payments and External Links

CADE approved a three‑year settlement that gives Apple 105 days to comply under penalty of fines up to R$150 million.

Overview

  • The settlement requires Apple to permit alternative app marketplaces, third‑party payment processing within apps, and in‑app links that direct users to external purchases in Brazil.
  • Apple must keep user warnings neutral and unobstructive, and the company said it will retain protections for younger users as it implements the changes.
  • Apple has 105 days to roll out the technical and contractual updates, the agreement remains in force for three years, and noncompliance could also trigger a reopened investigation.
  • Outlets report a Brazil‑specific fee framework: standard 10% or 25% App Store commissions, an extra 5% when using Apple’s payment processing, a 15% fee for clickable external payment links, and a 5% Core Technology fee for third‑party stores.
  • The case stems from a 2022 complaint by MercadoLibre, and Apple cautioned that greater openness introduces privacy and security risks even as it commits to comply.