Technology Apple warns Australia against joining EU in mandating iPhone app sideloading

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Content source

https://www.neowin.net/news/apple-warns-australia-against-joining-eu-in-mandating-iphone-app-sideloading/

Apple has issued a warning to Australia, essentially telling the country not to follow the European Union's lead in making iPhone app sideloading a requirement. This communication comes as the Australian federal government considers new rules that could force Apple to open up its iOS ecosystem, much like what happened in Europe with recent legislation. Since iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 18, users in the EU have been able to get apps from outside the official App Store, a direct consequence of the DMA designating Apple as a "gatekeeper".

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Apple, in its response to this Australian paper, stated that Australia should not use the EU's Digital Markets Act "as a blueprint". The company's core argument is that the changes mandated by the EU's DMA, which came into full effect in March 2024, introduce serious security and privacy risks for users. Apple claims that allowing sideloading and alternative app stores effectively opens the door for malware, fraud, scams, and other harmful content.

The tech company also highlighted specific concerns from its European experience, alleging that its compliance there has led to users being able to install pornography apps and apps that facilitate copyright infringement, things its curated App Store aims to prevent.

Apple warns Australia against joining EU in mandating iPhone app sideloading

Australia is reportedly considering following the EU in forcing Apple to allow sideloading on iOS and iPadOS. In response, Apple has warned officials not to move forward with the plan.

www.neowin.net

 

[Victor M]

If the concern is increasing competition, they could mandate Apple charge less for lettings vendors participate in the Store. Apple is secure because it's gatekeeping process enforces security, why spoil a good thing? The existing Process works, just let more vendors in and scale up the processing. You just want more software for consumers.

If you forcibly allow sideloading, malware will definitely increase, Apple's reputation for security would plunge, losing some customers. The consumer is also hurt by more infections. Everybody loses.

 

[Marko :)]

Jesus Apple! Just admit it! You don't want people to sideload apps because you're then losing massive amount of money. It has nothing to do with security; you can allow sideloading and still have secure device.

Next Apple's take on sideloading will probably be "it's proven that people who sideload apps go to hell".

If the concern is increasing competition, they could mandate Apple charge less for lettings vendors participate in the Store. Apple is secure because it's gatekeeping process enforces security, why spoil a good thing? The existing Process works, just let more vendors in and scale up the processing. You just want more software for consumers.

I think you misunderstood the problem here. It's not just their fee in play; it's also the rules of the App Store. These rules apply for everyone, except Apple themselves and which doesn't make the playing field equal for everyone. Perfect example is how they denied a Spotify update because it had promotional message and offered users a discount, while their Apple Music app offered exactly the same without any issues. Also, they don't offer any other way to pay, except their own payment system.

This is extremely anti-competitive and what ultimately made EU allow sideloading. If they relaxed their policies a bit, like EU asked, they wouldn't have to allow sideloading. So we had no other choice than to force them to allow it.

If you forcibly allow sideloading, malware will definitely increase, Apple's reputation for security would plunge, losing some customers. The consumer is also hurt by more infections. Everybody loses.

It won't. Apple usually tends to threaten and scare users when something happens they don't like. They could make device secure even with sideloading; they just don't want to.

In fact, sideloading was always an option on Apple devices through AltStore and such apps with some limits (apps would need to be refreshed every few days & you could only install limited number of apps). There were no cases of devices being infected with malware still. Allowing sideloading just removed the need to refresh the apps constantly and allows you to install unlimited number of apps.