Brazilian Court Overturns App Store Ruling Against Apple
A Brazilian court has reversed a previous decision that mandated Apple to alter its App Store regulations within the country. This grants Apple more time to address antitrust issues raised by Brazil's regulatory body, Cade.
The initial ruling required Apple to permit app sideloading and accept third-party payment methods for iOS users in Brazil. Non-compliance would have resulted in substantial daily fines. However, Judge Eduardo Santos da Rocha Penteado deemed this decision excessive, citing potential disruptions to Apple's operations and global implications.
This legal battle stemmed from a 2022 complaint by MercadoLibre, a prominent e-commerce platform in Latin America, regarding Apple's app store practices. The investigation centers on Apple's insistence on developers using its payment system and potentially anti-competitive terms imposed on iOS. For more information on related legal battles, see CFPB Oversight of Google Payments Sparks Legal Battle.
While this ruling offers Apple temporary relief, Cade is expected to appeal. This means Apple may still need to adjust its App Store policies in Brazil eventually. This situation mirrors ongoing discussions about app store regulations worldwide, as seen with Apple's potential integration of Google Gemini and the rise of AI monitoring tools.