Apple CEO Tim Cook voiced his opposition to legislation that would force the company to allow sideloading in a speech at IAPP Global Privacy Submit 2022.
The company is facing antitrust legislation in the EU, US, and elsewhere that requires Apple to let users to install apps on the iPhone without going through its App Store. This process is known as sideloading.
Apple has frequently warned of dire consequences if it were to allow users to directly install apps, despite users being able to do so on Mac and most other platforms.
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We are deeply concerned about regulations that would undermine privacy and security in service of some other aim. Here in Washington and elsewhere, policy makers are taking steps, in the name of competition that would force Apple to let apps onto iPhone that circumvent the App Store through a process called sideloading. That means data hungry companies would be able to avoid our privacy rules and once again track our users against their will. It would also potentially give bad actors a way around the comprehensive security protections we've put in place, putting them in direct contact with our users, and we have already seen the vulnerability that creates on other company's devices. Early in the pandemic, for example, there were reports of people downloading what appeared to be legitimate covid tracing apps, only to have their devices infected with ransomware. But these victims weren't iPhone users because the scheme directly targeted those who could install apps from websites that lacked the App Store's defences.
Proponents of these regulations argue that no harm would be done by simply giving people a choice but taking away a more secure option will leave users with less choice not more, and when company's leave the App Store because they want to exploit user data, it could put significant pressure on people to engage with alternate App Stores, App Stores where their privacy and security may not be protected.
I want to make something very clear to all of you, Apple believes in competition. We value its roll in driving innovation and pushing us all forward, and we appreciate that supporters of these ideas have good intentions. But if we are forced to let unvetted apps onto iPhone, the unintended consequences will be profound. And when we see that, we feel an obligation to speak up and to task policy makers to work with us to advance goals that I truly believe we share, without undermining privacy in the process. We will continue to make our voices heard on this issue, we will continue to advocate on behalf of our users and what they deserve, and we hope all of you in the privacy community will join our efforts to make sure that regulations are crafted, interrupted, and implemented in a manner that protects people's fundamental rights.
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You can watch the full speech below...
The company is facing antitrust legislation in the EU, US, and elsewhere that requires Apple to let users to install apps on the iPhone without going through its App Store. This process is known as sideloading.
Apple has frequently warned of dire consequences if it were to allow users to directly install apps, despite users being able to do so on Mac and most other platforms.
-----
We are deeply concerned about regulations that would undermine privacy and security in service of some other aim. Here in Washington and elsewhere, policy makers are taking steps, in the name of competition that would force Apple to let apps onto iPhone that circumvent the App Store through a process called sideloading. That means data hungry companies would be able to avoid our privacy rules and once again track our users against their will. It would also potentially give bad actors a way around the comprehensive security protections we've put in place, putting them in direct contact with our users, and we have already seen the vulnerability that creates on other company's devices. Early in the pandemic, for example, there were reports of people downloading what appeared to be legitimate covid tracing apps, only to have their devices infected with ransomware. But these victims weren't iPhone users because the scheme directly targeted those who could install apps from websites that lacked the App Store's defences.
Proponents of these regulations argue that no harm would be done by simply giving people a choice but taking away a more secure option will leave users with less choice not more, and when company's leave the App Store because they want to exploit user data, it could put significant pressure on people to engage with alternate App Stores, App Stores where their privacy and security may not be protected.
I want to make something very clear to all of you, Apple believes in competition. We value its roll in driving innovation and pushing us all forward, and we appreciate that supporters of these ideas have good intentions. But if we are forced to let unvetted apps onto iPhone, the unintended consequences will be profound. And when we see that, we feel an obligation to speak up and to task policy makers to work with us to advance goals that I truly believe we share, without undermining privacy in the process. We will continue to make our voices heard on this issue, we will continue to advocate on behalf of our users and what they deserve, and we hope all of you in the privacy community will join our efforts to make sure that regulations are crafted, interrupted, and implemented in a manner that protects people's fundamental rights.
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You can watch the full speech below...