Brazil becomes the latest country to force Apple to allow sideloading

A Brazilian court has ordered Apple to allow sideloading on iOS devices within 90 days. This follows similar rulings in other countries, which Apple has already complied with, though they plan to appeal this latest decision. Sideloading enables users to install apps directly onto their iPhones, bypassing the App Store, a feature long available to Android users via APKs.

Apple's longstanding opposition to sideloading centers on its claims of prioritizing user privacy. This argument has been a consistent point of contention regarding sideloading and third-party app stores. The company’s 2022 App Tracking Transparency (ATT) changes, requiring permission for advertising and limiting user profiling, further highlight this focus, though these changes themselves have faced regulatory scrutiny for exempting Apple.

Despite its privacy arguments, Apple is facing increasing pressure globally. Countries like Vietnam and the European Union are pushing for greater app store openness, challenging Apple's traditionally closed ecosystem. The company’s legal battles against sideloading are seemingly becoming increasingly difficult to win.

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