Apple has been facing scrutiny in Brazil over the App Store. Earlier this month, a Brazilian court ruled that Apple would have 90 days to allow sideloading on iOS for iPhone users in Brazil – but things are about to change. That’s because another judge has now ruled that Apple won’t have to implement the requested changes, at least for now.
Brazil won’t force Apple to enable sideloading, but regulator can still appeal
As reported by Brazilian newspaper Estadão (via MacMagazine) on Wednesday, a Federal Civil Court judge in Brazil has now ruled that Apple can continue distributing iOS apps exclusively through the App Store without letting developers opt for other platforms (a process known as sideloading).
In November last year, the Brazilian antitrust regulator “Cade” ruled that Apple should allow the distribution of apps outside the App Store in Brazil. The company would have 20 days to comply with the decision. Apple appealed the decision and a judge ruled that the injunction wasn’t necessary or urgent, giving the company more time to discuss the case.
After a public hearing with Apple and companies like Epic Games, the Brazilian court ordered Apple to allow sideloading within 90 days because it considered that the limitations imposed by the company could jeopardize the entry of new competitors in the segment. The court also claimed that Apple had implemented similar changes in the EU without a “significant impact or irreparable damage” to its business.
At the time, an Apple spokesperson said that the decision would “harm the privacy and security” of iOS users and that the company would appeal the decision. The appeal had a positive outcome for Apple, as the judge considered that the company was being punished as if it had been convicted, even though the case is not closed.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Apple has won once and for all, but it certainly gives the company a lot more time to prepare for the next court battle. Someone who certainly isn’t happy with today’s result is Epic Games, which announced a few days ago that it would be launching Fortnite for iOS users in Brazil in July.
The Brazilian regulator can still appeal the judge’s decision.
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