Apple may soon be forced to allow the iPhone users in Brazil to be forced to download the app from outside sources outside their official app store, after a court verdict recently. This comes a few months after similar changes in the European Union by the company due to regulatory pressure. A federal judge from Brazil has given Apple 90 days to install the apps from the third-party store or to side the process of facing daily fines of more than $ 40,000. The decision issued by the Federal Regional Court Judge Pablo Zuniga overturns an earlier decision that temporarily stopped the need.

The judge said that Apple has already implemented similar changes in other areas, such as the European Union, without causing significant harm to its business model. He also admitted that time would require time to make such structural changes in iOS, Brazilian’s antitrust regulator, expanding the original 20-day deadline set by CAD, up to 90 days.

The case against Apple in Brazil began in 2022 when a prominent Latin American e-commerce company Mercado Livre filed a complaint. The company accused Apple of misusing the status of its major market by forcing developers to use their in-house payment system for digital goods and services. The match group (who owns Tinder) and other companies, including the epic Games, have also raised similar concerns with Brazilian regulators.

Apple has consistently argued that allowing sideloading may compromise on the privacy and safety of its users. In a statement to Brazilian newspaper Heroic economyThe company reiterated its commitment to competition, but expressed concern that the proposed change would damage user safety. According to Apple’s spokesman Fred Sainz, “Apple believes in lively and competitive markets where innovation can flourish.” He said, “We face competition in every segment and jurisdiction where we work, and our focus is always the belief of our users. We are concerned that the interim measures proposed by Cade will reduce the privacy and security of our users and intend to appeal to today’s decision. ,

Apple has planned to appeal to the decision, claiming that measures are unnecessary and can negatively affect its business.

This is not the first time Apple has faced such challenges. Earlier this year, the company was forced to allow an alternative app store and payment system in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple rolled out these changes with the release of iOS 17.4, which led to an example that was referred to by Judge Zuniga in his judgment.

If the decision arises, the Brazil will become the second major market after the European Union where Apple needs to open its tightly controlled iOS ecosystem.