After three years of regulatory pressure, Apple has agreed to significant changes to its App Store policies in Brazil, marking a pivotal shift in the country’s digital marketplace. The adjustments, mandated by Brazilian authorities, will grant users and developers unprecedented flexibility—breaking Apple’s long-held control over app distribution and payments.
Under the new rules, Apple must implement the following within 105 days:
- Allow users to download apps from third-party stores.
- Permit developers to direct users to external payment systems.
Apple will impose a 15% fee if apps include clickable links redirecting to alternative payment methods. Text-only instructions for external payments will incur no charge. For transactions within the App Store, Apple will collect a 10% or 25% commission (depending on developer eligibility) plus a 5% payment processing fee . Apps distributed via third-party stores will face an additional 5% technology fee , mirroring the company’s approach in the European Union.
The reforms signal a broader trend of regulatory pushback against Apple’s ecosystem dominance. Brazilian users will gain access to competitive pricing and diversified app sources, while developers can explore alternative monetization strategies free from Apple’s restrictive policies. The move aligns with global efforts to curb tech giants’ monopolistic practices, though Apple maintains its fee structure remains essential for platform security and innovation.
Industry analysts anticipate the changes could reshape Brazil’s app economy, potentially lowering costs for consumers and fostering new business models. The outcome may also influence similar regulatory battles worldwide, as governments increasingly scrutinize Apple’s and Google’s app store practices.