Authorities in Brazil have finalized a deal with Apple following an extended probe into the firm's App Store charges and restrictions on outside app distribution platforms. According to initial coverage from local outlet Tecnoblog, Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) has endorsed Apple's suggested terms to resolve allegations of monopolistic behavior.
Under the terms, developers can now integrate alternative payment systems for in-app transactions, curbing Apple's restrictions on guiding users to off-platform payment sites by permitting hyperlinks to external purchase pages. These alternatives must appear alongside Apple's native options. Furthermore, Apple is obligated to enable the installation of third-party app marketplaces on its hardware, while permitted to issue impartial, factual alerts to users.
The pact introduces a revised pricing model where Apple waives fees for plain-text referrals to non-Apple payment routes. Activating an interactive element like a link or button for such alternatives triggers a 15% charge. Transactions processed through the official App Store continue to carry 10% or 20% commissions, and those via Apple's processing incur an additional 5% handling cost for developers.
On top of that, a 5% "Core Technology Fee" applies to every app acquired from non-Apple stores. This setup echoes adjustments Apple implemented in response to Europe's Digital Markets Act, which opened the door to alternative app sources and outside buying options with tiered costs.
Apple gets 105 days to roll out these provisions, with potential penalties reaching $27 million for non-compliance. Globally, the company faces intensifying scrutiny from oversight bodies regarding its user guidance policies, including a recent $587 million penalty from the European Union for breaching the Digital Markets Act, which Apple is contesting. In America, it's locked in litigation with Epic Games, creators of Fortnite, concerning fees on deals via external payment services.