After years of litigation, the Federal Court of Australia has asked Apple to allow alternative App Stores and end anti-steering practices, essentially copying previous rulings.
Apple is facing antitrust lawsuits and similar battles around the world. The EU forced many changes to Apple’s App Store thanks to the Digital Markets Act, and it appears the Australian government wants similar action through a single piece of legislation.
According to the 1,104 paragraph document, Apple has engaged in antitrust conduct that warrants corrective action. The requests made are similar in scope to the EU’s DMA, albeit with some specifics to avoid any leeway on Apple’s part.
First, Apple needs to allow Epic to resend Fortnite and any other apps on the App Store, as long as they follow Apple’s current guidelines. It seems that this new shipment is expected immediately.
Furthermore, the Federal Court of Australia makes the following requests:
- Apple must allow alternative app stores where users can discover, download and update apps.
- Apple may not prohibit, prevent, or take any action that would prevent users of iOS devices from discovering or using alternative app stores.
- You may not impose any fees or conditions for accessing alternative app stores on developers or users.
- Apple may not impose fees or conditions for access to any tool or API that make the use of alternative app stores or distribution channels more burdensome than those applied to iOS apps.
- You cannot implement alternative payment exclusion for App Store apps, nor can Apple require App Store apps to use in-app purchasing provided by Apple.
- Security requirements for sideloaded apps or those from alternative app stores should only be proportionate to needs that have previously been defined as a security risk.
- Apple must allow the acceptance and processing of alternative payments for in-app purchases in App Store or alternative app store apps.
- Users should not experience any friction when choosing to pay with alternative payments or installing apps outside the App Store.
Apple must complete these orders by March 1, 2027. It has until February 15, 2027 to submit evidence of why it may need an extension if it isn’t ready by February 1.
The court also says that Apple owes 85% of Epic’s costs for the trial. As always, Apple is expected to appeal every step of the way.
