Apple has been told it has to allow alternative app stores on iOS in Brazil within 90 days, as reported by Brazilian publication Valor International and 9to5Mac. Apple has already been forced to allow third-party app stores on iOS in the EU due to the Digital Markets Act.
The judge who issued today’s ruling said that “Apple has already complied with similar obligations in other countries without demonstrating significant impact or irreparable harm to its economic model,” Valor reports.
Brazil’s investigation into Apple began with a complaint filed by Mercado Livre in 2022. In November, Brazil gave Apple 20 days to let developers offer alternative in-app payment options and allow sideloading, but in early December, the injunction was overturned.
The company plans to appeal the ruling, according to a machine translation of Valor’s article. Apple says in a statement to Valor that it “believes in vibrant and competitive markets where innovation can flourish” and that “we face competition in all segments and jurisdictions where we operate, and our focus is always the trust of our users.” Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment from The Verge.