Australian Court Orders Apple to Allow Third-Party App Stores on iPhone
An Australian court has ruled that Apple must open its iPhone ecosystem to third-party app stores and alternative payment methods, effective March 1, 2027. This decision follows similar regulatory precedents set in the European Union, Japan, and Brazil regarding mobile platform competition. The ruling also mandates the reinstatement of Fortnite on the App Store, marking a significant shift for Epic Games' presence on iOS devices. Apple has expressed its intention to appeal the decision, which challenges its long-standing control over app distribution and monetization within its hardware ecosystem.
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Topics: Antitrust Law App Store Regulation Digital Markets Mobile Ecosystem