Apple CEO Tim Cook: Sideloading Apps Would 'Destroy the Security' of the iPhone

[subi257]

I understand needing security for the average user, but it would be nice to sideload if you have a developer account or some other way to show that you understand what you're doing.

But then the gubment will want the same thing and then its all downhill from there. the are now talking about users being abe to put their drivers license, passport, e-fob for the car, medical records and so on.....that needs to be absolutely locked down. Apple should not even have access to the device at that point either.

 

[subi257]

There kind of is a similar setting on NEW macs, but using my example, most people don't have new macs, even if they do have new iPhones, so they're not accustomed to these features.

Also, apps have the ability to move you out of the app, into settings and the screen where they want you to give consent. Some apps may not even function without this consent, even if they don't need it.

That's where the problem lies. Apps asking for control they actually don't need, so they can use it for nefarious purposes, without oversight.

Plus, your computer does not travel with like a smart phone, so there's less chance of issues. Now your phone, might have your passport, driver's license, medical records, etc. If a nefarious people start getting into that, the code and data would most likely flood the black market and a lot...and I do mean a lot of people's lives would be F'd over big time, not to mention the country via economy, banking. he fact is that given the way tech is going and the rate it's moving at, we are entering a new realm potential bad.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Sideloading Mac OS apps really destroyed the security of Mac OS, that's for sure.

If sideloading was there from the beginning, there was never security anyways.

 

[icymountain]

*Should* side loading be mandated, I'd absolutely be for that position by Apple. Of course there's going to be loads of moan-n-whines. But taking responsibility for your actions, including bad decisions, is part of life.

Following the same logics, the warranty of your MacOS computer should be voided whenever you install any software by any other means than the App store. "Because, you should take responsibility for your actions."

 

[farewelwilliams]

Side loading should be up to the end user. It doesn't compromise the security of the phone if the user knows what the hail he's doing.

The user thinks they know what they're doing, but often they do not.

 

[farewelwilliams]

macOS security isn’t “destroyed” by allowing side loading.

can't destroy what was never there to begin with.

 

[farewelwilliams]

That's not entirely true, today anyone with a free developer account can sideload an app on their device and the iPhone's security is still doing fine.

New Mac Malware Found to Infect via Xcode

Security researchers at Trend Micro have discovered a new kind of Mac malware which can "command and control" a target system. The...

www.macrumors.com

 

[farewelwilliams]

I am a dev but thanks for speaking on my behalf, even if you did it wrong.

the best way to prevent piracy is to make a good product that people deem worth the cost. If your stuff has been suffering from piracy well I’m sorry about that

dev here, nope.
there will always be plenty of people pirating regardless of the quality of the product.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Why don't you just educate customers and let them make their own choices?

You mean like letting them know Android exists?

 

[Seoras]

He's right. Apple claimed it was Microsoft who was the stalking horse behind Epic. I think it was the Gov Spooks.

Facebook, and the other privacy losers, who were dealt a blow by iOS14 will abandon the App Store and offer their Apps via either their own App Store or someone with no privacy requirements App Store or side load.

This is just a "crack open iOS" because too many powerful entities don't like Apple empowering the end user - who in a free democracy are supposed to hold the ultimate power, aren't they?

 

[DeepWebinar]

Just like how the Mac’s security has been destroyed because of it’s ability to install third-party apps. Oh wait. 🤔

 

[farewelwilliams]

If I CHOOSE to allow sideloading, that only affects the security of MY iPhone.

Stupid comment.

A family of 5 uses iCloud. A 9 year old decides to sideload Fortnite from an untrusted source. Now that infected Fortnite downloaded all of the shared family photos, shared family iCloud files, is now tracking the family via Find My, downloads the entire contacts list including the family's relatives, downloads all of iMessages including conversations with the family, etc...

"OH but just turn off sideloading for the kid via parental settings, RIGHT?"

No, sideloading would obviously make big companies force their customers to sideload something like Microsoft Office which kids would probably need to do for school. So a parent who isn't competent enough about this stuff would allow it on their kids phones.

Apple thought this through. You didn't.

 

[nt5672]

Sideloading Mac OS apps really destroyed the security of Mac OS, that's for sure.

If side loading is a real issue for Cook, then he must be covering up some mighty big security problems that we should know about anyway.

 

[GSWForever8]

Sideloading Mac OS apps really destroyed the security of Mac OS, that's for sure.

Craig admitted that.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Just like how the Mac’s security has been destroyed because of it’s ability to install third-party apps. Oh wait. 🤔

"Oh wait" is right. Mac never had security. Can't destroy what was never there.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Why don't you just educate customers and let them make their own choices?

Because customers pay Apple to make these choices for them.

 

[Taipan]

Disagree. macOS security isn’t “destroyed” by allowing side loading. There are ways of allowing apps from outside the AppStore in a secure fashion.

What he really meant to say is that it’d destroy App Store revenue and entirely eliminate the embarrassment that is apple arcade.

this excuse might fly over certain peoples heads but anyone with even a modicum of technical knowledge will roll their eyes reading that headline

Actually it’s not that rare that people catch malware by using pirated software on Mac OS. It’s just that on Mac OS there are not that many people doing that in the first place. I‘m sure that would be different on iOS, just due to the much larger number of people using it. I‘m sure many of them would be stupid and selfish enough to pirate those 1$-apps instead of buying them. And there‘s no doubt that it would be much more attractive for malware creators than Mac OS.

 

[IG88]

Just like how the Mac’s security has been destroyed because of it’s ability to install third-party apps. Oh wait. 🤔

The obvious solution on Apple's part would be to "enhance" MacOS security by blocking sideloading in the next version of MacOS, codenamed ThunderCats.

 

[hatchettjack]

hahahahaha.... If only human beings acted like that!

Yeah, I mean no one stole music from great artists🙄 so I’m sure no one will steal apps from a great developer🙄🤫

 

[dannyyankou]

Stupid comment.

A family of 5 uses iCloud. A 9 year old decides to sideload Fortnite from an untrusted source. Now that infected Fortnite downloaded all of the shared family photos, shared family iCloud files, is now tracking the family via Find My, downloads the entire contacts list including the family's relatives, downloads all of iMessages including conversations with the family, etc...

"OH but just turn off sideloading for the kid via parental settings, RIGHT?"

No, sideloading would obviously make big companies force their customers to sideload something like Microsoft Office which kids would probably need to do for school. So a parent who isn't competent enough about this stuff would allow it on their kids phones.

Apple thought this through. You didn't.

So the parents need to do their job and monitor their kids’ phone usage, there’s a lot of dangerous stuff on the internet that Apple can’t control. Use parental controls.

And it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can have something similar to the Mac where you can only download from trusted developers, or have the parents approve the apps one by one.

 

[Bug-Creator]

he next version of MacOS, codenamed ThunderCats.

Sorry to disappoint you but Apple is gonna stick to its Cali naming scheme for a while, so it will be macOS13 SanAndreas followed by macOS14 SkidRow.

 

[Ubuntu]

Do you know why most developers prefer the App Store? Because sideloading is not official and people would rather pay you for your app than pirate it.

If you were a developer I doubt you'd be happy to know that your app gets pirated so you can't earn money for your hard work.

Take a look at the Mac App Store. When given the choice I’d hardly say most developers prefer the App Store there so I don’t buy that argument. As a developer I’d rather take the risk of side loading than constantly be under the thumb of Apple. Of course there’s a middle ground we can find here but apple clearly doesn’t want to budge and instead keeps hiding behind its security and privacy angle to protect its money.

 

[IG88]

Sorry to disappoint you but Apple is gonna stick to its Cali naming scheme for a while, so it will be macOS13 SanAndreas followed by macOS14 SkidRow.

My sources say that the internal codename is ThunderCats. The official release with sideloading locked down will be called MacOS 13 San Quentin.

 

[lolOwO]

Let the user decide. I can figure it out myself. If people are uncomfortable sideloading then don't do it. I don't need Apple to hold my hand for everything like a lot of people here.

the user already has a choice. it's called Android

 

[farewelwilliams]

So the parents need to do their job and monitor their kids’ phone usage, there’s a lot of dangerous stuff on the internet that Apple can’t control. Use parental controls.

And it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can have something similar to the Mac where you can only download from trusted developers, or have the parents approve the apps one by one.

A working mom does not have time for this. They pay Apple to make these decisions so she can focus on raising a family. This is Apple's target demographic.

If no sideloading is a deal breaker, she'll go with Android. Apple is fine with that.