Under the Digital Markets Act proposed by the European Commission, Apple may be forced to allow users to download apps on their iPhones. In an effort to prevent the rule from being missed, the Cupertino-based tech giant explained why it does not allow installing apps from outside the App Store.
A 16-page document titled 'Building a Trusted Ecosystem for Millions of Apps' has just been released by Apple. This more than justifies why the App Store is the only place where iOS users can find and download apps.
According to the document, it says that mobile phones contain the most sensitive information about our personal and professional lives. When it comes to privacy, Apple believes that it is a basic human right and that principle drives the high privacy standards they build into their products.
The recent introduction of privacy labels and App Tracking Transparency not only gives users better control over their data, but also provides more information to enable users to make the right choice when granting permissions.
It says that all apps listed on the Apple App Store are reviewed to ensure that they meet high standards with strict guidelines. The review process also ensures that users are protected from malware, cybercriminals, and fraudsters.
In addition, to keep children safe, apps for kids must also meet certain guidelines and must be integrated with iOS parental control features.
Therefore, if sideloading is allowed, Apple is worried that users will download pirated apps that will cause developers to lose money. In addition, users are exposed to potential ransomware where users risk losing their data.
The document includes research that Android is infected with 15 times more malware apps than iPhone. This is because Android apps can be downloaded from anywhere.
AppleA document issued by Apple about sideloading applications. Photo: Apple Dock
According to the study, the open system makes Android users not only able to download applications from the Google Play Store. There are other app stores offered by various platforms that may have a less stringent review process.
Moreover, users can easily download APK files that can be downloaded from any website that has not been verified or shared by strangers through the instant messaging platform.
Not only providing examples of potential scenarios where sideloading can harm iPhone users, Apple has provided several cases of how the application protection they have implemented has helped protect users. This includes blocking more than USD 1.5 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions, rejecting and removing nearly 1 million problematic applications, and disabling 244 million customer accounts for fraud and various violations including posting fake reviews.
Previously, Apple CEO Tim Cook in a virtual conference called VivaTech stated that Android has 47 times more malware or malicious programs such as viruses than iOS.
Not only claiming, Cook also explained why this could happen, of course by promoting the operating system made by Apple. According to him, all applications that enter the App Store for iOS have been tested by Apple.
"Because we designed iOS in such a way that there is only one App Store, and all apps are tested before they can enter the store," Cook said.
Of course, Cook not only improves security from malware, but also promotes Apple's privacy. Including proud of his predecessor, his former boss, the late Steve Jobs.
"We've focused on privacy for decades. Steve (Jobs) used to say that privacy is about making it clear in what language users are dealing with and getting their permission," Cook said.
Tags
NEWS & FACT