Apple will allow third-party app stores and payment processing in Brazil

Brazilian regulators have with Apple after a year-long investigation into the company’s App Store pricing practices as well as its policies toward third-party app stores. As first reported by a Brazilian tech site The country’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) said it had accepted Apple’s proposed deal that would address allegations of anticompetitive practices.

The deal will allow third-party payment processing methods for in-app purchases and curb Apple’s anti-wicket efforts by allowing links to external websites for transactions. The regulations require these payment options to be displayed alongside Apple’s. Apple must also allow third-party app stores to be installed on its devices, although the company is allowed to display warnings to users if they are worded in a neutral and objective manner.

A new fee structure has also been agreed, with Apple charging no fees if users are directed to external text-only payment methods. Using a link or clickable button for an external payment option will incur a 15% fee. Purchases made on the Apple App Store will always be subject to a 10 or 20% commission. Developers using Apple’s payment system would also be subject to a 5% transaction fee.

Additionally, a 5% “base technology fee” would be levied on all app downloads from third-party app stores. This new structure has similarities to policy and fees after the EU passed its Digital Markets Act, with Apple allowing third-party app stores and external purchases subject to variable fees.

Apple will have 105 days to comply with the new agreement and could face fines of up to $27 million for failing to implement the changes. The iPhone maker is facing growing pressure from regulators around the world over its anti-steering practices and was recently fined $587 million by the EU for violating its Digital Markets Act. Apple is the fine. In the United States, Apple is involved in a legal battle with Fortnite manufacturer on commissions on purchases made on third-party payment platforms.