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United StatesTechnology3 days ago

Apple opens up App Store to new competition in Brazil

Apple has opened up its App Store to new competition in Brazil, allowing developers to distribute iOS apps through alternative app stores and process payments outside the App Store. The change is part of an agreement with Brazil's competition regulator, CADE, and follows similar moves in the EU and Japan. New protections such as a notarization process for apps distributed outside the App Store and authorization requirements for alternative app marketplaces have been introduced.

In Brief

Posted:

8:48 AM PDT · June 18, 2026

Image Credits: TechCrunch

Apple announced on Thursday that developers in Brazil are now allowed to distribute their iOS apps through alternative app stores and process payments for digital goods and services outside the App Store.

The changes, which are part of Apple’s agreement with Brazil’s competition regulator Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica, or CADE, loosen Apple’s rules in yet another market, following similar revisions in the EU and Japan.

The move marks another crack in Apple’s long-held control over the iOS app ecosystem, which has been forced to open up by regulators and, in some cases, via legal battles. In the U.S., for example, Apple now permits developers to direct users to external payment options as a result of the court’s decision in the Epic Games lawsuit against the iPhone maker.

The updates in Brazil’s market will include the introduction of new protections, including a notarization process for iOS apps distributed outside the App Store, authorization requirements for alternative app marketplaces, and other rules designed to protect children from inappropriate content and scams, Apple said.

The company also updated Attachment 12 of its  Apple Developer Program License Agreement to specify terms for iOS apps in Brazil, which will use the Core Technology Commission (CTC) fee structure. This 5% CTC fee had replaced the older Core Technology Fee (CTF) in January as part of Apple’s revised business terms in the EU. It applies to apps distributed from the App Store, via the web, and/or alternative marketplaces.

In Brazil, developers will need to agree to the latest update of the license agreement by July 6, 2026, Apple noted.

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Source document: Apple Developer Program License Agreement

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TechCrunchParty-alignedCenter3 days ago
Apple opens up App Store to new competition in Brazil

Apple has opened up its App Store to new competition in Brazil, allowing developers to distribute iOS apps through alternative app stores and process payments outside the App Store. The change is part of an agreement with Brazil's competition regulator, CADE, and follows similar moves in the EU and Japan. New protections such as a notarization process for apps distributed outside the App Store and authorization requirements for alternative app marketplaces have been introduced.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about Apple's policy changes in Brazil without overtly favoring any side. It includes details about regulatory agreements, technical adjustments, and protective measures, maintaining a balanced tone without loaded language or biased sourcing.

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