Apple will allow developers to distribute apps via third-party marketplaces and process transactions outside its ecosystem.
Apple is opening up app distribution and payments processing in Brazil following an agreement with the country’s antitrust regulator.
These changes follow a three-year long investigation stemming from a complaint filed by Uruguayan e-commerce giant Mercado Libre, which accused Apple of abusing its monopoly in the distribution of apps for its devices.
The new updates will give developers additional options to distribute iOS apps to Brazilian users via alternative app marketplaces, Apple said. Third-party app stores will need to be approved by Apple first, and will need to meet “ongoing requirements to serve developers and users”.
Additionally, Apple will also allow developers to include alternative payment processing methods in their apps or guide consumers to external sites to complete transactions.
