> It bears reminding that “sideload” is a made-up term. Putting software on your computer is simply called “installing”

Important post from @fdroidorg why new Android apps rules is so bad.

https://f-droid.org/en/2025/10/28/sideloading.html

@sitnik_en @fdroidorg We should redefine it as "software with a secondary function installed on devices that their owners did not choose and cannot remove".
Slightly subverting the current use of the term.
@sitnik_en @fdroidorg Its primary/original meaning was loading from local sources. The assumption is that if you have something locally and chose to load it it is at your own risk / you know what it is (possibly because you built it yourself). Of course, supply chain attacks are a thing, and "built it yourself from local and imported ingredients" is no guarantee that the product is free of contaminants. A better solution than Google's "ban it", to this threat landscape, would be nice..