Apple is going to allow iPhone users in Brazil to pay for apps and services outside of the App Store itself, all to settle an investigation into supposed anti-competitive practices in the country.

Due to regulatory action, Apple has agreed to allow alternative app stores, third-party payment systems for in-app purchases, and in-app links to external offers on iOS in Brazil, according to legal news website MLex and Brazilian blog Tecnoblog.

Starting next year, Apple will allow app sideloading and external payment links for users in Brazil, following a local antitrust settlement.

The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has imposed a fine of 98.6 million euros ($115.53 million) on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the mobile app market.

Apple will next year introduce more ads in the App Store "to increase opportunity" in search results, the company has announced. According to an update to Apple's Ads website, additional ads will appear across search queries,