Apple Executive Says Users Who Want App Sideloading Already Have That Option With Other Platforms

[hans1972]

That is not true. Apple can still require you to provide access to certain areas such as contacts and photos. Apple would need to fortify the side loading mechanisms. When the app is loaded, it behaves like a normal Apple app, except it just hasn’t been certified by Apple

Of course its true since all he app needs to is ask the user for such access to contacts etc. The user allows the app to break out of the sandbox, ergo the app is not 100% isolated. Also apps have access to stuff without asking users such as clipboard and messaging with other apps.

That is not what I mean by malicious. Malicious here means someone who is creating an app that prioritizes being a bad actor, e.g sharing data to the dark web. Many millions are not creating apps like this.

First I consider collecting data to show target ads a malicious act.

Also, Apple stopped 150 000 app submission in 2020 for violating privacy policy. 1+ milion apps rejected for objectionable or illegal content, 100 000+ rejected for misuse or unnecessary use of personal information. 500 000+ developers' accounts terminated for distributing illegal content.

So yes, there are millions of them being malicious.

 

[hans1972]

Most apps would still be that way (or have the option for both). Most apps for the mac are still found in the mac store, only a few need to be sideloaded.

Which is worse.

Examples of applications not available in the Mac App Store:
Google Chrome
Firefox
Spotify
Adobe: Adobe Premiere, Adobe Illustrator, etc.
Microsoft: Teams, Edge
Zoom
Autocad

and this just from a few minutes of searching.

 

[hans1972]

This is a good point, but if sideloading was implemented correctly this wouldn’t be as big of a problem. google play store still has apps even though you can sideload them it all about ease of access.

And Android has huge problem with bad apps and bad actors. It's especially bad in Asia.

 

[hans1972]

one can build an ecosystem that stands for sovereignty for creators and agency for consumers.

Which fortunately isn't how Apple sees it. In Apple ecosystems developers are treated like second-class citizens, as they should.

But hey, competition is fine. Those developers and others who shares Microsoft's philosophy should go to their ecosystem and remove themselves from Apple's ecosystem.

But it won't happen because most developers and content creators will go where there is the most money to be made.

“Principles are nice things. If you can afford them. I like to think I am a principled man, but then, most men do. The fact is, we all have a price, we all have buttons that can press to make us do things that are not entirely honorable. Principles do not pay the mortgage or clear our debts. A principled man is generally a man who has everything he wants or absolutely nothing to lose.”
― C.J. Tudor, The Chalk Man

 

[One2Grift]

Of course its true since all he app needs to is ask the user for such access to contacts etc. The user allows the app to break out of the sandbox, ergo the app is not 100% isolated. Also apps have access to stuff without asking users such as clipboard and messaging with other apps.



First I consider collecting data to show target ads a malicious act.

You and me both brother!
I've taken and am taking steps to stop it (which includes using the Apple platform/eco).
But it’s not all bad news. Those who say they don’t care about their data being collected? That fills the coffers at the world’s biggest Ad company, Google, and the second biggest Ad company, Facebook. If I ever find a product or service(that doesn’t data collect) I need from either of these two Ad companies? I’ll take the built in discount that is paid for by the ‘don’t care about my data being collected/privacy’ users.
That’s a win-win if there ever was one.

 

[hagjohn]

I think Apple has a right to say no to sideloading. If people don't like it, they can move on.

 

[Nuno Lopes]

But it won't happen because most developers and content creators will go where there is the most money to be made.

One of the core secrets of Apple “recent” success apart from their products was the dev innovation, apps and services that third parties invested on top of their efforts. $Opportunities$ went both ways, each not meddling with the other run. Yet this practice as changes with Apple constantly changing App Store policies, the most little to do with privacy or security. Without apps, the iPhone would be dead in the water as others were. Believe me, devs would be doing money somewhere else as always prior to iOS.

Customers will go were the best services are. So your stance is noted on both counts. Will see where is the most money to be going forward.

I maybe mistaken but you may have just branded Apple as the iPhone company and little else. First we try than we trust ... the trust I believe it's very slim today.

 

[Premium1]

Which is worse.

Examples of applications not available in the Mac App Store:
Google Chrome
Firefox
Spotify
Adobe: Adobe Premiere, Adobe Illustrator, etc.
Microsoft: Teams, Edge
Zoom
Autocad

and this just from a few minutes of searching.

Not really but ok.

 

[ipponrg]

Of course its true since all he app needs to is ask the user for such access to contacts etc. The user allows the app to break out of the sandbox, ergo the app is not 100% isolated. Also apps have access to stuff without asking users such as clipboard and messaging with other apps.

If we really wanted to get pedantic, they can detect side loading vs App Store install. If Apple wanted to be truly draconian, they can just disable access to contacts etc. In other words, don’t allow sideloaded apps to access contacts period.

First I consider collecting data to show target ads a malicious act.

There are ton of apps in the App Store that would fall under your definition of malicious. Whether they show targeted ads, it doesn’t really matter. They collect data to target you which makes your definition very soft.

Linear streaming apps show “targeted” ads. Targeted meaning the ad exchanges know the content the user was watching and what ads to display from the inventory. They were all approved by Apple which makes Apple malicious by your own definition.