Apple CEO Tim Cook says some new policies would hurt iPhone security
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Tim Cook is the chief executive of Apple. He spoke on November 19th at Dreamforce in San Francisco.
David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images
AppleOn Tuesday, CEO Tim Cook criticised pending U.S. antitrust regulations in Europe and the U.S. saying that certain policies could harm the privacy and security of iPhone users.
Cook made the argument at the IAPP Privacy Summit, Washington, D.C., that sideloading, which is a regulation that forces Apple to let users install apps via the internet, can lead to users being tricked into downloading malware or software that steals their personal data. Apple only permits users to download iPhone software via the Apple Store.
Cook stated that policymakers in Washington, and other places are making moves in the name competition to force Apple’s sideloading process (apps that bypass the App Store) to be allowed on its iPhones. Cook stated that data-hungry businesses would now be able bypass privacy regulations and track users without their consent.
Apple’s Tuesday remarks by Cook highlight Apple’s strategy of softening sideloading requirements under pending antitrust regulations. They also focus on the risk it poses to users.
Cook stated Tuesday that sideloading could also give “bad actors” a way to bypass the security measures we have in place.
The United States the Open Markets Act would require AppleSideloading is allowed. It was approved earlier this month by the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be discussed further in Congress later this year.
Recent agreements in Europe have been reached by the EU the Digital Markets ActThe DMA is a broad set of regulations that targets large-tech companies. The DMA was initially designed with a sideloading provision, however the legislation has not been finalized.
App Store Fees are a target for regulators
App store purchases cost Apple 15% to 30%, which regulators believe is excessive and burdensome. Apple should allow applications to be downloaded via the internet to boost competition. Some believe that developers could distribute iPhone apps directly without Apple’s Store and avoid Apple’s fees.
Apple claims that sideloading could reduce the iPhone’s market value. Apple vets every iPhone app in the AppStore through an App Review process, which checks for fraud and malware. Apple claims that sideloading would expose users to scammers and hackers who could invest in malicious, legitimate apps.
Cook gave an example using Covid-19 to trace Android apps which contained ransomware. Apple App Store rejectedTo prevent another problem with iPhone, coronavirus apps that are not supported by a trusted institution should be removed as soon as March 2020.
Cook explained that taking away the more secure option leaves users with less choices, not more. Cook said that if companies leave the App store to extract user data it can put pressure on users to use alternative app stores.
Cook’s speech was not the first time Apple made security-based arguments against App Store regulations. A letter addressed to legislators sent earlier this yearAn Apple representative stated that sideloading could lead to malware attacks on millions of Americans’ phones.
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