Upcoming EU Sideloading Bill Would 'Cripple the Privacy and Security Protections' iPhone Users Expect, Says Apple

[Michael Scrip]

Android users can already do sideloading but in fact very few do. If Apple is forced to enable it, it will not be a super easy process and no one will do it by accident. It is unlikely to cause the kind of widespread problem you describe.

That's true... people won't accidently sideload an app.

But they might purposely sideload an app if a big developer like Meta pulls Facebook, Instagram and Messenger off the official App Store and you have to go to their website and download it.

And who knows what kind of tracking stuff Meta could put in that version of the app since it doesn't go through Apple's app review.

That's what I'm worried about.

People love to complain about Apple's app review because sometimes they allow scammy apps into the store.

But no one talks about all the apps that are blocked by app review and don't get into the store.

As soon as developers are able to offer their iOS apps on their website with no one checking them for malware... it'll be open season.

We already know Facebook is mad at Apple because of all the ad-blocking stuff that Apple does.

So you can imagine how thrilled Facebook will be about letting people download their app from their website that is full of trackers... and there's nothing to stop them.

 

[danny842003]

so just don't sideload, no one is forcing you.

Until the apps aren’t in the App Store and you have no choice. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy an iPhone that doesn’t have side loading yet here we are.

 

[AppliedMicro]

It will turn IOS into a garbage dump, imo

Like the garbage dump that’s macOS, you say?

Until the apps aren’t in the App Store and you have no choice. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy an iPhone that doesn’t have side loading yet here we are.

Just user other apps then. As long as there’s an Apple App Store, you have choice. Nobody‘s forcing anyone to use an app that’s not available through Apple.

 

[bluecoast]

it’s worth putting the EU’s moves into context - similar things are happening in the USA too:

DoJ to Congress: Thumbs up for big tech antitrust bill

Stopping Amazon, Google, others from prioritizing own products and services

www.theregister.com

This is only to do with preferential treatment of services and apps though (as far as I understand).

 

[ct2k7]

Delete

 

[I7guy]

Android users can already do side loading but in fact very few do. If Apple is forced to enable it, it will not be a super easy process and no one will do it by accident. It is unlikely to cause the kind of widespread problem you describe.

We’ll see where this goes, I suppose.

Like the garbage dump that’s macOS, you say?

Just user other apps then. As long as there’s an Apple App Store, you have choice. Nobody‘s forcing anyone to use an app that’s not available through Apple.

macOS is a niche product.

 

[dumastudetto]

optional side loading does not contradict those protections

Making it trivial to install bad applications is terrifying for the platform and wider ecosystem. The implications are enormous and could irreparably destroy the trust build up between consumers and Apple.

 

[dumastudetto]

Just sell AAPL shares and buy some app developers instead. Problem solved.

iOS/iPadOS developers who don’t like the deal can develop elsewhere. Problem solved.

 

[dumastudetto]

What are these Apple protections? Protections from myself? Protection from me downloading an app that is considered controversial?

The protections are the privacy and security protections detailed in the factually accurate article at the top of the thread.

 

[ct2k7]

The protections are the privacy and security protections detailed in the factually accurate article at the top of the thread.

I don’t think nudity comes under privacy and security

 

[dumastudetto]

I don’t think nudity comes under privacy and security

Nudity is not mentioned in the article at the top once.

 

[djphat2000]

Like the garbage dump that’s macOS, you say?

There is more malware for macOS than iOS. It's much easier to mess up your macOS than it is your iPhone or iPad. Since you don't have access to the the system the same way you do macOS. Plus, oddly enough. You have more games on iOS than you do macOS. With all that freedom to sell your apps directly on macOS. Why isn't there more games on macOS? Why isn't every piece of software that runs on Windows also ported/running on macOS?

Just user other apps then. As long as there’s an Apple App Store, you have choice. Nobody‘s forcing anyone to use an app that’s not available through Apple.

What substitute app would we use if Meta moves off the Appstore? What substitute app would you use if your favorite app was no longer available in the Appstore? I don't see anyone one of these rules advocating that if there is a 3rd party store or alt-store/side loading. Those apps also HAVE to be on the AppStore too. So, your out of luck if you want to go to the Appstore and get an app that is no longer there. And your only option is to side load it or use a 3rd party store. So your choice has now been made for you.

Thanks!

 

[ct2k7]

Nudity is not mentioned in the article at the top once.

I didn’t say it was.

 

[Gelam]

Is there a way for us to let the EU policy maker know that we disagree and explain them the reasons?

 

[sunny5]

Mac still lacks tons of iOS apps and most of them are trash apps. Since most major apps aren't working on Mac, side loading might be an option if Apple has no solution to provide mobile apps on Mac.

 

[AppliedMicro]

What substitute app would we use if Meta moves off the Appstore?

Use another social networking or photo sharing app?
I‘m 100% sure there’s competitors‘ apps available.

I mean, it‘s the same argument they (you) always use, isn’t it?
„Just use Android then!“

Or are you conceding now that there are apps/services that are so huge they can‘t (easily) be ignored or substituted? Due to network effects and the large user base they have? Again, the very same argument can be made for the virtual duopoly of Apple and Google in distributing mobile Apps through App Stores.

What substitute app would you use if your favorite app was no longer available in the Appstore?

Use another app. Surely someone will make a worth substitute.

Again, mean, it‘s the same argument they (you) always use:
„Just use Android then!“

Here’s the thing: if sideloading is allowed (and Apple mandated to allow it), anyone can make and distribute a competitor’s app.

So, your out of luck if you want to go to the Appstore and get an app that is no longer there. And your only option is to side load it or use a 3rd party store. So your choice has now been made for you.

I‘m out of luck today, when my favorite app isn‘t on the App Store today. Because Apple doesn’t allow it and doesn’t allow sideloading in any convenient manner today.

The difference: I have no reasonable choice with a 3rd party store.

 

[Luis Ortega]

The notion that privacy and security exist online is nonsense and just a marketing gimmick. The last thing people need to worry about is sideloading.

Apple and Meta Gave User Data to Hackers Who Used Forged Legal Requests​

Apple and Meta Gave User Data to Hackers Who Used Forged Legal Requests

(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, provided customer data to hackers who masqueraded as law enforcement officials, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.Most Read from BloombergA 30-Year-Old Crypto Billionaire Wants to Give His...

ca.finance.yahoo.com

 

[dumastudetto]

I didn’t say it was.

So why did you reply to my comment about what was written in the article at the top of the thread with “I don’t think nudity comes under privacy and security”?

 

[Tagbert]

So why did you reply to my comment about what was written in the article at the top of the thread with “I don’t think nudity comes under privacy and security”?

Obviously some wires were crossed in this mixed up thread. Let it go.

 

[I7guy]

The notion that privacy and security exist online is nonsense and just a marketing gimmick. The last thing people need to worry about is sideloading.

Apple and Meta Gave User Data to Hackers Who Used Forged Legal Requests​

Apple and Meta Gave User Data to Hackers Who Used Forged Legal Requests

(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, provided customer data to hackers who masqueraded as law enforcement officials, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.Most Read from BloombergA 30-Year-Old Crypto Billionaire Wants to Give His...

ca.finance.yahoo.com

The fact that there are leaks, breaches, scamware, malware etc, doesn't mean a company isn't doing it's best to protect your data. It's not all or nothing. Sideloading isn't about apple, google etc protecting your data it's about introducing malware and scamware to the sideloader that could cause their PII to be compromised.

 

[ct2k7]

The fact that there are leaks, breaches, scamware, malware etc, doesn't mean a company isn't doing it's best to protect your data. It's not all or nothing. Sideloading isn't about apple, google etc protecting your data it's about introducing malware and scamware to the sideloader that could cause their PII to be compromised.

The way iOS is designed means this shouldn’t be possible.

Of course Pegasus shows us otherwise without side loading.

 

[I7guy]

The way iOS is designed means this shouldn’t be possible.

Of course Pegasus shows us otherwise without side loading.

The fact that people are gullible shows that sideloading could be a major contributor to people falling victim to scams. Of course like Windows is 100% safe and locked down, so is android and IOS. /s

 

[ct2k7]

The fact that people are gullible shows that sideloading could be a major contributor to people falling victim to scams. Of course like Windows is 100% safe and locked down, so is android and IOS. /s

Yes, people are sadly gullible. I’m not saying we shouldn’t protect them, but I’m not in the business of mollycoddling people though.

The same goes for macOS though.

 

[Tagbert]

The way iOS is designed means this shouldn’t be possible.

Of course Pegasus shows us otherwise without side loading.

The report was about exposure of “basic subscriber details, such as a customer’s address, phone number and IP address” which is the meta data about the account rather than data from devices.

 

[ct2k7]

The report was about exposure of “basic subscriber details, such as a customer’s address, phone number and IP address” which is the meta data about the account rather than data from devices.

Aye, I was responding to someone to brought side loading into the conversation. I agree it’s off topic.

Actually, I think I misread, apologies