Brazil becomes the latest country to force Apple to allow 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 had to follow in other countries.

Unsurprisingly, Apple plans to appeal the decision. For those unfamiliar, sideloading refers to the ability to download and install apps directly onto a device, bypassing the conventional app store. This practice has been a staple for Android users for years, facilitated by APK files that enable the installation of third-party applications.

Apple has historically resisted sideloading, much like it has opposed third-party app stores. The issue gained significant attention following Epic's lawsuit against Apple over five years ago, which spotlighted the tech giant's stringent control over its ecosystem.

PeekabooApple's primary argument against the ruling centers on privacy concerns. This has been a consistent point of contention regarding sideloading, third-party app stores, and other related issues. In 2022, Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) changes shook the gaming industry by requiring developers to seek permission for advertising and limiting user profiling capabilities, which drew regulatory scrutiny due to Apple's own exemptions.

Despite these privacy-focused efforts, Apple continues to face challenges and appears to be losing ground in its battle against sideloading, third-party app stores, and other changes. In regions like Vietnam and the broader European Union, the era of Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem seems to be waning.

While Apple may face setbacks, gaming enthusiasts can look forward to new experiences. Why not explore our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week for some exciting releases from the past seven days?