This is why the Cupertino firm was given a 90-day deadline to enable sideloading on iOS devices. The news comes after the EU made the iPhone maker implement serious changes to how the App Store can work for users in the region.
As shared by the Brazilian media outlet called Valor Economico, the country’s federal judge issued a statement on this matter yesterday. They want Apple to open up the entire iOS ecosystem for third-party applications in the country, similar to how it’s functioning across the European Union.
The judge shared how the limitations imposed by the firm on different developers might jeopardize the arrival of new competition in this domain. In November of 2024, we saw another local antitrust regulator in the country rule that Apple could not stop developers from selling material and distributing apps outside the App Store.
The company has just a 20-day deadline to comply with the rules, or else it would get a fine of more than $40K a day. It’s not shocking that Apple chose to appeal the ruling as that gave the tech giant more time to discuss this case. During that moment, Apple shared that such requests to roll out changes at the App Store were not urgent and how it would negatively impact the company’s business model. Meanwhile, in February this year, Apple also had to witness a public hearing in the country regarding the case.
For now, Judge Pablo Zuniga wants Apple to implement the outlined changes by three months. He says that despite what the company has to say, they’ve already complied in other countries in the same way. Therefore, there should be no reason why it cannot do the same in Brazil.
The entire scrutiny against the iPhone maker started after Latin American-based e-commerce firm Mercado Libre blasted the company for making developers provide digital products in apps to their respective apps to utilize Apple’s customized payment means. Other firms like Match, which also has Tinder and Epic Games under its belt, were seen filing a similar complaint against the firm with the regulator from Brazil.
Meanwhile, one spokesperson from Apple explained to the Brazilian media outlet that it only believes in celebrating competition and vibrancy in the market. It is facing competition with different companies wherever it functions. So it’s always reinforcing the commitment it has to users. Moreover, Apple mentioned how such changes will affect the privacy and security of users with iOS devices, so it will be rolling out another appeal against the decision.
Sideloading on iOS is a controversial subject for Apple, and it makes sense why Brazil wants the company to work like how it is now in the EU.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next:
• Terrorism Affects 68 Countries in 2024, With Sahel and Pakistan Among the Hardest Hit
• Top Apps Can't Afford to Ignore Apple Search Ads, Here’s Why
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World
No comments:
Post a Comment