Apple external payments rollout/enforcement, SCOTUS & Ninth Circuit updates; Brazil CADE; DMA appeals
Key Questions
What was the outcome of the Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit rulings on Apple's app commissions?
On May 28, SCOTUS denied Apple's request for a stay. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the requirement for 27% commissions on external payments and links, with Apple filing a new brief challenging the related contempt ruling.
What are the terms of Apple's Brazil CADE settlement for alternative payments and app stores?
The settlement allows alternative app stores and payments with a commission structure of 5% plus 21% (reduced to 10% for small businesses). Epic Games and the Coalition for App Fairness have criticized the terms as still overly restrictive.
Why are Chinese developers filing an antitrust complaint against Apple's App Store fees?
Chinese developers are challenging the fees and using Brazil and Japan settlements as benchmarks for fairer terms. China is Apple's largest App Store market, valued at $562 billion.
SCOTUS May 28 denies Apple stay; Ninth Circuit affirms 27% commissions/external links; Fortnite now live worldwide on iOS App Store (Australia exception, May 19 2026); May 15 timeline; web checkout live; EU €500M DMA appeal. Apple loses EU court fight over DMA gatekeeper status for iOS and App Store – solidifies regulatory pressure, could accelerate fee changes and sideloading requirements. Brazil CADE settlement now live – Apple allows alternative app stores and payments with commission structure of 5%+21% (10% for small biz). Epic Games and Coalition for App Fairness publicly slam the terms as still too restrictive. Apple files new Supreme Court brief challenging contempt ruling over 27% commissions. Italy opens Apple cloud probe under DMA – national test of interoperability rules. FTC lawsuit reveals subscription scam networks evading app store enforcement. Chinese developers file antitrust complaint over App Store fees, using Brazil/Japan as benchmarks – China is largest App Store market ($562B).