Brazil Takes On Apple: 90-Day Ultimatum to Allow Third-Party App Stores on iOS

Brazil Orders Apple to Enable Sideloading on iOS

On March 5, 2025, Judge Pablo Zuniga of the Brazilian federal court ordered Apple to allow third-party app marketplaces on iOS within 90 days. If Apple fails to comply, it will face a fine of over $40,000 per day.

Key Points:

• Legal Context: The judge cited that Apple has already implemented similar changes in other countries, such as the European Union, without significant negative impacts on its business model.
• EU Precedent: In 2024, under the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple introduced sideloading for iPhone and iPad users within the EU with iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 18.
• Antitrust Concerns: The antitrust complaint against Apple was initially filed by Brazil's regulator, CADE, in 2022. After an investigation and a hearing, the court ruled against Apple.
• Apple's Response: An Apple spokesperson stated that while the company believes in competitive markets, it is concerned that these changes could harm user privacy and security.

Next Steps:

• Legal Challenge: Apple plans to challenge the ruling, but the process could take months, and the outcome remains uncertain. The company may ultimately be forced into compliance.