Amazon says it is stopping sideloading on newly released Fire Stick models running its proprietary Linux-based operating system, Vega OS. The company attributes the change to security concerns, saying “apps that facilitate piracy, and other apps, can carry malware,” and that it has “a good amount of evidence” indicating sideloaded apps may include unwanted code or behavior. Amazon does not provide specific examples of Fire Stick users being harmed.
Ars Technica reports that the new Fire Stick models use Vega OS instead of the earlier Fire OS, an Android-based system. Vega OS does not support sideloading and also limits certain forms of third-party customization, including blocking custom homepage launchers and ad blockers. In the coverage, Cord Busters editor-in-chief Or Goren notes the negative reaction to Vega being a closed system, while Amazon’s VP of Fire TV advertising and Appstore, Aidan Marcuss, argues Vega is an opportunity to innovate and improve capabilities, and says security and privacy are priorities.
The reports also note that developers can continue to add apps on Vega OS devices if they register them with Amazon.
