Apple Limiting Alternative App Stores and Payments to EU Due to Malware, Fraud and Scam Risks

[AlexESP]

What issues?

Since I can’t write an infinite list, just one. iPhones have one feature to allow parents to approve purchases of their children in the App Store. Now, the kid downloads Steam with his parents’ permission (regardless of any full-screen warning). They introduce their payment data, and at this point, almost no one will be thinking whether this payment control works here or not. Then, the kid spends $99, and the angry parents come to Apple complaining because their promoted feature didn’t work.
Maybe some people will think this is a very creative story, but let it rest for 30 secs, because it’s one of the easiest things that can happen.

 

[swm]

There are no "malware, fraud, and scam risks" related to any of these issues. Unless Apple is saying here that macOS is also a globally insecure platform.

well, if you compare macOS to iOS, there are obvious differences in terms of security though, let alone the level of user access and the hardware capabilities (ports, and the level of access to those) are significant differentiators.
that itself doesn't make macOS insecure, but definitely less secure than iOS.

til now no sane man would've thought about malware and antivirus programs on iOS and iPadOS, no matter how this market segment players tried to spin their talk. now they'll have a leverage.

 

[coolfactor]

Yes protect us with the 30% commission 😂

You realize that prices likely won't go down. But instead of Apple getting a 30% cut, the alternative app store will take a commission from the developer. This is just transferring the commission from one app store to another. Yes, increased competitive landscape, but isn't really changing much for end users from a pricing perspective.

 

[mrat93]

When the first major malware attack inevitably comes from one of these shady apps, I’ll sit back and laugh at the EU.

There are OS level exploits which have been administered via iMessage, but go on about how sandboxed sideloaded apps will be a major threat.

 

[spazzcat]

The problem with this statement here is that none of that is based in reality and since every other platform has always worked this exact same way we know that this isn't the case. When Steam has issues, people don't complain to Microsoft they didn't get a refund, when an app installer fails on Android, people don't complain to Google that it doesn't work. This is just nonsense and you repeating talking points...

Because you bought the game from Stream, why would you complain to Microsoft? Under the current system any billing issues you have you contact Apple. Under the new system you will need to figure out who to contact, but people are going to still contract Apple first.

 

[LeeW]

You can buy an android that provides that capability.

And there it is, right out of the gate. Nobody dares challenge the status quo or Apple's version of it or be banished to Android!

 

[AndiG]

Image Apple introduces alternative AppStores and Payment methods and NOTHING happens? How will Apples back up arguments look like?

 

[mrat93]

Image Apple introduces alternative AppStores and Payment methods and NOTHING happens? How will Apples back up arguments look like?

Right? I don’t see this being limited to the EU only for more than a year or two.

All it takes is for a country to pass a law saying “hey, we want that too” and Apple will have to oblige.

 

[drumcat]

Does tap-to-pay cost more in Europe? It's often a 1.5+% fee in New Zealand. Never seen it in the US have a charge.

 

[I7guy]

Image Apple introduces alternative AppStores and Payment methods and NOTHING happens? How will Apples back up arguments look like?

Or what happens if several high profile incidents occur?

 

[spazzcat]

And there it is, right out of the gate. Nobody dares challenge the status quo or Apple's version of it or be banished to Android!

Its not banished, the two platforms have different philosophies. The problem is small group wants Apple to be Android, if I wanted to buy into Android's philosophy I would buy an Android.

 

[one more]

Time to first iOS major malware/ransomware attack in EU... .02 seconds after 17.4 goes live.

Note to app developers: I *WILL NOT* download and install apps from other app stores. Offer it in Apple's mostly trustworthy App Store or I won't use it.

If the risks were so high, Android users (representing 70% of the smartphone market) would be running towards iOS in drones. Why do not they yet? 🤔

 

[spazzcat]

When the first major malware attack inevitably comes from one of these shady apps, I’ll sit back and laugh at the EU.

It will be more entertaining when badly develop Apps start killing peoples battery life, or has major bugs when new versions iOS comes out.

 

[spazzcat]

If the risks were so high, Android users (representing 70% of the smartphone market) would be running towards iOS in drones. Why do not they yet? 🤔

Something you don't need today on iPhone https://www.malwarebytes.com/android

 

[one more]

Or what happens if several high profile incidents occur?

Can you come up with a recent worthy high profile incident affecting “unprotected” Android devices? I personally do not recall reading anything of this kind.

 

[killhippie]

If you can’t use an iPhone outside the walled garden of Apple, it says a lot for Apples iOS security to be honest, I’ll be better off buying an android phone these days and get the features I actually want, because iPhones are not that secure after all because they rely on a walled garden App Store to keep them safe. I’ve never known anybody with an android phone get malware either. Here was me, thinking it was the iPhone itself that kept you secure not just the App Store. My Mac seems to do fine without a walled garden of protection though.

 

[spazzcat]

So Apple's practices AREN'T harming competition?

How many apps companies only exist today because of the iPhone ...

 

[BeatCrazy]

If the risks were so high, Android users (representing 70% of the smartphone market) would be running towards iOS in drones. Why do not they yet? 🤔

The reason Android has such a huge share of the global market is because it offers <$200 (and even <$100) to every country on earth, not because of some inherent preference or inherent security parity to iOS.

 

[whsbuss]

So Apple develops a new security feature so hacking a device is less likely. But the EU wants to open devices to outside malware, hacking and everyone thinks that great. Really?

 

[one more]

Something you don't need today on iPhone https://www.malwarebytes.com/android

Ok, what about a Mac? Are we plagued by spyware, ransomware, etc. in macOS? It is just common sense not to install anything weird on your device, IMO.

 

[twolf2919]

There are no "malware, fraud, and scam risks" related to any of these issues. Unless Apple is saying here that macOS is also a globally insecure platform.

Let's just name it what it is; Apple is scared that they'll actually have to bother providing compelling services to developers instead of getting by default 30% of the revenue of anything and everything even if not only they don't do a single thing to earn that, but the party that has to pay them 30% is left with all other costs as well...


I don't care for emulators, nor do I care to pirate apps. I just want to be able to install apps that I should just be able to install and not be blocked from using my device for whatever I want to use it just because Apple has some arbitrary policy that blocks apps if it even remotely threatens their 30% cut for doing nothing. The fact that they are adjusting rules globally as well to allow services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce already shows what this is about; they are afraid that these would otherwise only be available through alternatives and that they'd be pushing their users to install these alternatives because they know they cannot beat them without accepting them as well.

Of course there are additional risks. It's just plain obvious that if you add more doors to a house, there are more paths to illegal entry. And it goes without saying that macOS is not as secure as iOS as a result. To use the word "insecure" is naive - security isn't a black and white issue.

 

[dasmb]

I don't personally want to install anything on my phone that hasn't passed through the App Store. I like that there is some level of quality assurance and an accountable party should something go wrong. The device is too personal, and the potential for damage in the event of a breach too high.

But I do like to have a choice. I have several Android-based emulation devices whose utility might be impossible without alternative app stores. I've got some old iPads I'd love to run MAME on but can't, specifically because of the accountability that matters to me on my Phone (and watch, and Apple TV).

On my laptop? I install unsigned, unlicensed software ALL THE TIME. Could not do my job without it.

 

[I7guy]

Can you come up with a recent worthy high profile incident affecting “unprotected” Android devices? I personally do not recall reading anything of this kind.

No but I can describe some noteworthy iPhone incidents.

 

[I7guy]

How many apps companies only exist today because of the iPhone ...

Nine, because it’s apples proprietary ip. Government regulation to competition doesn’t end well, imo.

 

[one more]

So Apple develops a new security feature so hacking a device is less likely. But the EU wants to open devices to outside malware, hacking and everyone thinks that great. Really?

Your device will not get compromised in any way unless you willingly choose to install something from a third party. Apple will warn you before you do so, just as they do in macOS.