EU Competition Chief Tells Apple Not to Use Privacy as a Shield Against Competition

[Mescagnus]

Or you can continue to use Apple's iOS app store exclusively. No one is forcing you to sideload apps

But scammers will entice you to download apps outside the App Store with sweet deals and cons a lot of not-so-savvy tech users will fall for.

Many people choose iPhone for themselves and their entire families, kids included, because of its security.

 

[Mescagnus]

Apple should just sell two versions of the iPhone. One has access to Apple's App Store and the other is wide open and doesn't. Customers decide which one they want. If you want Apple's walled garden and Apple's watchdog over privacy, choose the App Store version. If you want to just install anything, you get the open version but with no access to the App Store and Apple doesn't monitor what applications do. You have to buy your software from online vendors. Problem solved.

Perhaps this is what it will come down to. An iPhone & iPhone Pro AND iPhone NS (Non-Secure). Clearly indicated by product naming that it is a non-secure version. And it should only come in screaming bright colors such as orange!

edit: Better yet, Apple should name it "iPhone EU".

 

[T Coma]

These EU officials know nothing about tech,.

unlike their effective understanding of virology, medicine, economics etc, amirite?

 

[ruka.snow]

But scammers will entice you to download apps outside the App Store with sweet deals and cons a lot of not-so-savvy tech users will fall for.

Many people choose iPhone for themselves and their entire families, kids included, because of its security.

It doesn't need scammers, Facebook will immediately get off the AppStore and people will download their apps and are now opted in to tracking.

 

[Nuno Lopes]

So why isn't Vestager citing actual examples of reduced competition instead of focusing on Apple's privacy and security features?

Because market position abuses were cited before in on going both in courts and probes. Both in the EU, US and Australia.

They do not need to show reduction in competition just that an policy or practice is abusive and harmful. Otherwise they would be looking for damages which is not what this is all about.

The discussion now it’s about policy. I think EU instead of making these statements should focus on policy … what is the tech policy they think necessary?

Companies will follow.

 

[grjj]

Or you can continue to use Apple's iOS app store exclusively. No one is forcing you to sideload apps

The fact that there would be a mechanism for side loading means that unscrupulous actors will find ways to exploit that channel. Either they'll install apps without the customer knowing or con users into doing it.
Ex: Facebook update failed to install properly. Please connect iPhone to your computer and visit www.facebookupdatefixer.com to manually install the update.
This 100% is going to happen if side-loading is allowed.

 

[ItsGavinC]

They have a point. Currently you can install on your device hundreds of catfish applications, phishing applications, and data mining applications through Apple's own App Store. If they Apple wants to make this claim they better get their **** together.

No they don't have a point.

Your exact argument is "The COVID vaccine is only 94% effective at preventing serious COVID, so nobody should get vaccinated."

Does that sound right?

The App Store certainly prevents the vast majority of app problems, but some slip through, so it should be abandoned?

 

[darngooddesign]

...

 

[Unregistered 4U]

If there is a virus on iOS, it will be on all news papers and Apple will be the one that get hit, even if it was due to user error.

It’s all over the news even when the exploit REQUIRES several very unintuitive steps by the user, so it ABSOLUTELY would be all over everywhere if it was anything that didn’t require interaction

 

[grandM]

I would think they would put any tires you want on the car as long as you pay for it.

No. They will put their own tires and charge a huge premium. Same goes for every other part. Sure the EU ought to force them I can buy tires through Amazon and have a VW dealer put them on the car at a fee. And you ought to see what they charge for putting the tire on the car.

VW dealers also made price arrangements (illegal in the EU, but every brand does so). Now VW is closing down a lot of dealers to decrease competition. Their cheapest car went from 8k to 14k over a few years.

Guess the EU would say there are other brands. Guess what? There are other smartphone brands out there!

 

[grandM]

I can tell you healthcare through employers is fragile, because if their group gets older and sicker the coverage gets weaker and more expensive for the employees as they adjust for more profitability. I had a friend get pushed out of a company after 10 years because he was too expensive on their insurance. Of course they never said it, but they started finding anything they could to have a problem with him.

I wouldn't put healthcare in the same bucket as smartphones. Basic needs - luxury product.

 

[grandM]

That, or as is typically the case in my country, politicians who are the outcasts in domestic politics get send off to the EU parliament.

Same over here.

 

[grandM]

unlike their effective understanding of virology, medicine, economics etc, amirite?

Let's talk medicine. The EU had LESS vaccines. The EU enforced INFERIOR vaccines upon its citizens. Americans could CHOOSE a vaccine of their liking.

But don't worry. The EU elite got Pfizer/Moderna.

 

[grandM]

Because market position abuses were cited before in on going both in courts and probes. Both in the EU, US and Australia.

They do not need to show reduction in competition just that an policy or practice is abusive and harmful. Otherwise they would be looking for damages which is not what this is all about.

The discussion now it’s about policy. I think EU instead of making these statements should focus on policy … what is the tech policy they think necessary?

Companies will follow.

The EU never succeeded in launching successful IT companies. Talent is not rewarded here. The Dutch inventor of bluetooth got his monthly salary. Thanks Jaap Haartsen.

​

 

[grandM]

Look at this congressman. He probably has no clue what a web app is. He could have known but he was so biased and pushing his agenda he interrupted Tim Cook every single time. That is an inquisition instead of a hearing.

 

[DNichter]

Scare monsters are generally used against gullible to trap them into a predefined thought process, often seems to be legitimate. We all know that Apple is not fearing about privacy or security it is all about losing revenue through losing the control. I don't blame Apple for what they say or do, but people toeing their lines like soldiers really amuses me.

What I said is still true, that’s all. Revenue is of course a part of the decision making, they are a business, but I don’t get the sense that Apple simply doesn’t care about privacy or security. All 3 can be considered when it comes to business decisions, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

 

[shyam09]

Look at this congressman. He probably has no clue what a web app is. He could have known but he was so biased and pushing his agenda he interrupted Tim Cook every single time. That is an inquisition instead of a hearing.

I was laughing the entire time. It's like he had a list of questions he wanted to get through and didn't even care about the answer.

"What will stop Apple from charging more commission in the future?"

Like what?

 

[Wildkraut]

But scammers will entice you to download apps outside the App Store with sweet deals and cons a lot of not-so-savvy tech users will fall for.

Many people choose iPhone for themselves and their entire families, kids included, because of its security.

That’s why we have this flubber thing in our heads, sometimes called brain, maybe they shall start using it, instead of just being consuming zombies.

 

[Ramchi]

What I said is still true, that’s all. Revenue is of course a part of the decision making, they are a business, but I don’t get the sense that Apple simply doesn’t care about privacy or security. All 3 can be considered when it comes to business decisions, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Fair enough 👍🏼

 

[bousozoku]

Apple makes decisions for users of Apple devices, who are a minority in the EU. Anyone who doesn't like that Apple has control over their device(s) has an enormous range of Android devices to choose from. Those of us who don't mind Apple's control, or who actually prefer it to the alternative, will stick with Apple.

That's not a "phantom of choice," it's just choice.

Google is considering tightening Android, but they have to be very careful as they're always under scrutiny.

 

[npmacuser5]

Let me understand. The EU telling a door lock company to not use their security features as a shield against the competition. Most rational common sense folks would see how ridiculous a comment that is. Apple Privacy a core value for consumers. A ridiculous position the EU taking.

 

[rpmurray]

This all probably has something to do with the EU not being able to sneak in apps (you know, for health monitoring and alerting during a pandemic) that also grant them access to other, more private, data on your phone.

Back when they were trying to use Security as a shield against Privacy.

 

[Stewie]

You honestly believe an app developer will abandon the Apple app store and miss out on the opportunity to reach the over 1.65 billion devices in use if people are given the chance to sideload?

Delusional 🤣

They made their own coalition. It is easy to find a group that wants just that.

Members - Coalition for App Fairness

The Coalition represents all innovators — from startups to small developers and indie studios to popular apps— all over the world. Have your voice heard and join the fight today!

appfairness.org

 

[ikramerica]

Interesting that Apple is so concerned about privacy (as their excuse) that they disallow users to install apps on their iPhones/iPads outside the App Store.

Based on that precedent, guess that means Apple is not concerned with the privacy if its Mac users, since those users can install apps outside the Apple App Store.

Windows Home in S mode.

Maybe Apple should offer the same. Of course, no apps would be available.

 

[DNichter]

Of course something bad will happen. We have infrastructure being targeted by hackers and Apple playing a cat and mouse game to stay ahead of bad actors attempting to gain access to the walled garden. Outside stores means that anyone can make a store, including bad actors and suck people in with fake popular apps like they do on Android and now they not only have access to your device, but you have given them your credit card or bank information.

IOS users are higher value because they are more likely to have money to steal.

I’m not disagreeing with you, just saying its not a guarantee that something bad will happen. Your chances are obviously greater though.