Brazil has mandated that Apple allow third-party app stores and alternative payment processing on iOS, following similar regulatory actions recently implemented across the European Union and Japan.

Key Points

• Developers in Brazil can now distribute apps through alternative marketplaces and utilize non-Apple payment systems for in-app purchases.
• Apple will maintain a "Notarization" process involving automated and human reviews for all apps distributed outside its official App Store.
• Alternative payment methods must be presented alongside Apple’s own system within apps.
• Apple will charge a 10% to 15% commission on transactions processed through external links and a 5% "Core Technology Commission" for apps distributed via third-party stores.
• Apple maintains that these regulatory changes introduce potential security, privacy, and fraud risks for iOS users.

Why it Matters

This shift signals a growing global trend of antitrust regulation aimed at dismantling Apple's long-standing control over its mobile software ecosystem. These changes force the company to alter its business model while potentially impacting the revenue structures for both developers and the tech giant.