Sideloading Bill Would Allow 'Malware, Scams and Data-Exploitation to Proliferate,' Says Apple

[boss.king]

BS, Gaming consoles have existed decades before the app store, and no regulations ever made for them. Heck, where were these old people when Sony removed Linux capability on the PS3? The fact that this is targeting Apple clearly shows the corrupt and ill intention. Anybody have a list of the old white people proposing this? Their financials should be scrutinized by y'all Americans since they're abusing your own tax dollars.

I don't think you're getting that I agree that this should happen to Sony and Microsoft and Nintendo. To car-makers, to TV makers, appliance makers, etc, etc, etc. But it's happening to Apple first. Bad luck for them I guess. You still haven't explained why that shouldn't happen across the board.

Also, I'm not American.

 

[QuantumDot]

As long as I can elect to stay protected within the walled garden of Apple, I totally fine with allowing/forcing side-loading. But, if that causes the quality of the garden to degrade, I am likely to be very upset.

 

[code-m]

The gaming consoles have existed way before the app store. Why no regulations? This is purely BS from corrupt white old people.

My question being is why are you so triggered by Apple being first on the list. Apple definitely has been making some doom and gloom claims when it’s simply unfounded. As mentioned a simple toggle to permit side loaded apps and a pop-up message of the “possibility” is all is needed.

Even Apple own review process in the present closed ecosystem cannot 100% guarantee a user being safe but hey should it’s users not be able to sue Apple for not providing 100% protection. Just an honest question.

 

[vipergts2207]

Agreed.
I just see no need to talk about the game companies here.

It's not relevant and is a misplaced discussion here on this particular forum.

No doubt, it’s simply whataboutism and red herrings.

 

[huge_apple_fangirl]

Apple is scare mongering to distract from the real issue that iOS is full of Pegasus level zero-click takeover vulnerabilities.

Reminder that Apple is still planning on scanning your phone against a government database- tell me again how they are trying to protect my privacy

 

[turbineseaplane]

But, if that causes the quality of the garden to degrade, I am likely to be very upset.

Do you feel this way on macOS?

I honestly don't care.

I want to be able to do what I want with my Apple devices, especially with how poorly maintained the Apple "garden" generally is.

On iOS, it'd be better for everyone to have Apple be forced to compete and execute better on "tending the garden".

Right now they do as little as they care to and users are screwed -- no options.

(abandoning the platform and uprooting your smartphone life is not a viable option in this context)

 

[gianpan]

edit: mistake

 

[Cosmosent]

Why Apple sticks with its ALL OR NOTHING position is just puzzling !

Sideloading is coming, it's just a matter of time, NOT if !

 

[code-m]

Apple should be thinking long and hard about why they, objectively the least monopolistic of the tech giants, are the one Congress is the most excited to regulate.

Hint: it has everything to do with them refusing to give an inch to those far weaker and poorer than them and nothing to do with some conspiracy among legislators that hate Apple.

Hopefully this sends a message to the other players and platforms such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.

 

[nebojsak]

Agreed.
I just see no need to talk about the game companies here.

It's not relevant and is a misplaced discussion here on this particular forum.

It's just some brilliant MR analogies, as always. If they cannot catch all the thieves, there's no need to catch single one.

 

[Sophisticatednut]

How do you know they aren't? Do you know what failure rate is?

Well at least 2% of the apps in the top earning most money. So likely way higher
App Store full of scams

 

[Michael Scrip]

And the solution there is to know what you’re downloading and who you’re downloading from.

Sure... but the scammer's website won't have a big banner that says "I'm a scammer! I'm stealing your info!"

I get your point though. It'll be the responsibility of the user. If they get hacked from a sideloaded app... it's their fault.

But I'm not looking forward to the day I have to help my friends install anti-malware software on their iPhones...

?

 

[alex2792]

Well, I guess Apple has no choice but to recall all Macs since they pose a giant security risk.

 

[Eorlas]

y'all this is the same fire and brimstone apple has been claiming every. single. year. in regards to jailbreaking, and yet not only are jailbroken devices not riddled with malware, apple tends to take their greatest hits for ideas from jailbreak tweaks over the years.

they are *literally* using this argument because they've had a pearl-clutching level of control over their platform, and the user has *only* suffered for it. they're trying to convince you that they are somehow the only possible arbitrator for what is safe. to the point where you as the user are somehow just too stupid to possibly understand how to safely use your device.

sideloading *would not* cause this level of problem. for those who dont even want to dabble in sideloading, just keep using the app store, nothing has to change. for those users who have enough knowledge to determine what is safe and what is not, they can actually take advantage of their devices.

this is why i avoid the mac app store *whenever possible* because there is 0, and i mean 0% reason to be locked to an app store on any platform managed by one entity. and i dont need an app store to manage the software on my machine.

but apple is continuously trying to lock down even the Mac, and it's so, so asinine.

please stop feeding into their nonsense. i implore you to avoid supporting their behavior.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@Eorlas is all over it ^^^

A large chunk of the iOS user base basically has a bit of Stockholm Syndrome around this

 

[SedellJ]

In fact, if they have to be actually attractive and competitive their own offering is likely to improve!

Errr. I disagree. Mac apps are nothing like iOS apps. Most of them are clunky web apps that don't fit with the Mac UI, have terrible battery-draining updaters and don't integrate with notification center or any other key APIs. Apple tried to bring the Mac App Store and it hasn't been used to any meaningful extent. Devs don't even care to update their Mac apps and just let them die with Catalina. I can only imagine iOS becoming a wasteland like this with apps that use all their own notification protocols, run bizarre tasks in the background, and have unoptimized user interfaces. I can only imagine the Mac getting better if Apple were to lock it down, too.

There might be perceived positives to having side loading on the iPhone, but what would you rather have on your iPhone--the Dropbox app for iPhone we have now, or a Dropbox app that's more like the macOS one? Really consider this. We've all watched them drag their feet on Rosetta 2.

EDIT: I'd also like to add my current experience with my Mac virus scanner, which crashes every time I try to update or start a scan and constantly runs in the background wasting my battery. I contacted the developers only to be told "There is no Apple Silicon version in the works at this time" and that Rosetta 2 has been proven to work just fine. At this point, I'm preparing myself to be in the market for a new virus scanner once Apple drops Rosetta 2 support.

If side loading is allowed, developers will just flee the App Store and stop putting effort into their apps knowing customers that rely on their services have to take whatever they give them.

 

[Cosmosent]

The committee should heed Apple's warnings and go no further with this madness. Now is not the time to be making it easier for criminals to commit heinous digital crimes. The App Store is doing a great job protecting people.

Apple makes 70% of its App Store Revenue from Game Apps, 10% from Apps for Little Kids, 10% from Streaming Media "sub" Apps, & 10% from Everything Else !

Does that mix sound like they have their Act Together ?

 

[DeepIn2U]

I'm for the market deciding these things, not Congress. It would be like forcing property owners to rent space to merchants they may not want in their mall/shopping center. Imagine an adult toy popup store in a mall parking lot.

That said, Apple could easily do this by creating on iOS/iPadOS this same panel that exists on macOS, with the App Store set to on by default.

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Edit: Upon reflection the first part of what I wrote isn't an appropriate analogy. I just loathe the threats that Congress will do something because the Congress right now sucks.

You’re suggesting Creeklea assumes that this one little fix will resolve the actual potential issues that Apple’s cleaning. Newsflash it doesn’t in anyway shape or form

 

[CoMoMacUser]

What about chlamydia? Could a person get chlamydia from sideloading? What if you put on a condom beforehand? Would that protect you?

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

Hope the bill passes, but I doubt it
And even if it does they’re not gonna roll the change worldwide.

If Microsoft lets you install apps on your Xbox by paying 20 bucks to enable developer mode I’m pretty sure Apple can do it for their “app console”
Pretty sure Xbox users don’t get their data leaked every week

 

[nebojsak]

There might be perceived positives to having side loading on the iPhone, but what would you rather have on your iPhone--the Dropbox app for iPhone we have now, or a Dropbox app that's more like the macOS one? Really consider this.

To be honest (heavy Dropbox user here), the iOS app is a mess compared to a MacOS one.

 

[Realityck]

Well, I guess Apple has no choice but to recall all Macs since they pose a giant security risk.

How about Macs become more valuable to think about than those iPhones by Apple?

 

[topdrawer]

the full quote

'Malware, Scams and Data-Exploitation to Proliferate without making us any money'​

 

[turbineseaplane]

the full quote

'Malware, Scams and Data-Exploitation to Proliferate without making us any money'​

So true.
Apple has few issues with some app or game draining your bank account as long as they get their cut.

It's sort of a mob operation in that way - lol

 

[npmacuser5]

The option, do not load apps that have not been fully vetted. I do this today on the Mac. Not in the App Store, or from a trusted verifiable developers store, will not be on my Mac period. The key, spend time looking at the developer rather than the app features. Like spending money on Amazon, look at the seller not the product the first step. Do I want to do business with these folks. So many times the Mac Apps return a “hell no” will I do business with these folks. Up to us if the Government steps in.