Brazil’s antitrust regulator, Cade, has ruled that Apple must lift restrictions on in-app purchases within 20 days or face fines of $43,000 per day, according to a report by Reuters.
The decision stems from a 2022 complaint by e-commerce platform Mercado Libre.
Cade has directed Apple to let app developers either link to external websites for digital purchases and subscriptions or handle payment processing independently.
This ruling aligns with similar actions taken in regions like Europe, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., where regulators have also pressured Apple to loosen its App Store rules.
While Apple has made some concessions, critics argue these changes don’t go far enough to foster competition.
Apple’s compliance with Cade’s decision could significantly impact its app store revenue model and further chip away at its “walled garden” approach.
However, as seen in other regions, Apple may appeal the ruling, potentially prolonging the dispute.
Stay tuned for updates as regulatory challenges to Apple’s App Store policies continue to unfold globally.
