Brazil Forces Apple to Permit Sideloading

Another brick in Apple's walled garden has been thoroughly dismantled, as Brazil joins the ranks of countries demanding that iOS open up to sideloading. Apple now has a 90-day window to comply with this court order, following similar rulings in other nations.

Despite their plans to appeal, Apple's resistance to sideloading is well-known. Sideloading allows users to download and install apps directly onto their devices, bypassing traditional app stores—a practice Android users have enjoyed for years with APKs.

Apple's opposition to sideloading stems from their long-standing commitment to privacy and security. This stance was highlighted during Epic's lawsuit over five years ago, which scrutinized Apple's control over its ecosystem. In 2022, Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) changes further stirred the gaming industry by requiring developers to seek permission for advertising and limiting user profiling, moves that drew regulatory attention due to Apple's own exemptions.

However, the tide seems to be turning against Apple's restrictive policies. In regions like Vietnam and the broader EU, the era of Apple's tightly controlled environment appears to be waning. As these changes unfold, Apple continues to face challenges in maintaining its privacy-centric approach while meeting global regulatory demands.

While Apple navigates these legal waters, gamers can explore new horizons with our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week, featuring exciting launches from the past seven days.

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