Google has recently tightened restrictions on sideloading Android apps, citing growing security concerns. As part of a pilot program in Singapore, the company now blocks the installation of certain sideloaded apps that request sensitive permissions, such as access to SMS messages or accessibility services, if they are downloaded through web browsers, messaging apps, or file managers. Developed in collaboration with Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency, this initiative aims to prevent fraud and malware-enabled scams. In addition, Google has introduced its Play Integrity API, which lets developers restrict app functionality when apps are sideloaded. This move is intended to encourage users to download apps exclusively from the Google Play Store. However, these new policies have reignited debates about digital autonomy, innovation, and user rights. Critics argue that while the measures might reduce malicious activity, they also solidify Google’s dominance over app distribution, thereby limiting user freedom, innovation, and competition. Sideloading, a feature that has long been a hallmark of Android’s openness, is now being marginalized. This shift brings Android closer to Apple's tightly controlled iOS model, known for its "walled garden" approach. By implementing these restrictions, Google is reinforcing its control over the Android ecosystem, ostensibly in the name of security. However, this centralization raises significant questions about the impact on user autonomy and the broader implications for the mobile app market. Purism, a company that prioritizes privacy and ethical computing, presents an alternative to the increasingly surveilled and corporatized mainstream mobile ecosystems. Their smartphones, the Librem 5 and Liberty Phones, run on PureOS, a Debian-based Linux operating system. This setup ensures full user autonomy, privacy, and data sovereignty, free from the invasive practices of targeted advertising and behavioral manipulation. PureOS supports secure, free, and open-source applications that do not engage in exploitative data mining or employ addictive algorithms. Unlike Android, which increasingly relies on Google's ecosystem and intrusive APIs, Purism's phones allow users to take control of their data and device security. This results in a transparent and ethical computing experience, where the user, rather than the corporation, holds the reins. As Google continues to tighten its grip on Android and other tech giants double down on user exploitation, Purism emerges as a leading option for those who demand secure, private, and open mobile computing. Their approach not only enhances security but also champions user rights and fosters a more open and innovative app development environment. For individuals seeking to avoid the pitfalls of surveillance capitalism, Purism's products offer a compelling and viable alternative.