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 allows users to install apps directly onto their iPhones, bypassing the App Store, a feature long available to Android users via APKs.

Apple's staunch opposition to sideloading, citing privacy concerns, has been a consistent theme for years. This resistance intensified after Epic Games' lawsuit in 2018, which highlighted Apple's control over its ecosystem. Apple's privacy arguments have also been a factor in their App Tracking Transparency (ATT) changes in 2022, which impacted advertising and user profiling, drawing regulatory attention.

Despite Apple's emphasis on privacy, their battle against sideloading and third-party app stores seems to be weakening. Recent rulings in Vietnam and the EU suggest a global shift away from Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem. While Apple plans to appeal, the trend appears to be moving towards greater user choice and app installation flexibility.

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