Brazil Mandates Apple to Permit Sideloading

Another brick in Apple's walled garden has been thoroughly dislodged, as Brazil becomes the latest country to mandate that the iOS giant allow sideloading on its devices. Apple now has a 90-day window to comply with this court order, which echoes similar rulings they've already adhered to in other countries.

As expected, Apple plans to appeal the decision. For those unfamiliar, sideloading refers to the ability to download and install apps outside of the conventional app store environment. This practice has long been familiar to Android users through the use of APKs, allowing them to directly install third-party apps on their phones.

Apple, however, has traditionally resisted such practices, staunchly opposing sideloading and third-party app stores. The issue was thrust into the spotlight more than five years ago following Epic's lawsuit against Apple, which challenged the tech giant's control over its ecosystem.

PeekabooApple's primary argument against the ruling hinges on privacy concerns, a recurring theme in their opposition to sideloading and third-party app stores. In 2022, Apple's ATT (App Tracking Transparency) changes shook the gaming industry by requiring developers to seek permission for advertising and limiting user profiling, moves that have attracted regulatory scrutiny—particularly because Apple itself was exempt from these restrictions.

Despite these privacy-focused stances, Apple continues to face challenges. The battle against sideloading, third-party storefronts, and other regulatory demands appears to be tilting against them, with countries like Vietnam and the broader EU pushing for more open ecosystems.

It seems that Apple's days of maintaining a tightly controlled environment might be numbered. While Apple may appeal, the trend suggests a future where their devices could become more open to user choices.

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