Tim Cook - Afrikan Heroes

Apple CEO Says Regulating App Store Could Threaten Users’ Privacy

April 14, 2022

Apple CEO Tim Cook has challenged moves to regulate the company’s App Store in a speech in Washington on Tuesday, claiming that new rules could threaten the privacy of the Store’s users.

The company is reportedly under scrutiny over App Store policies. As a result, the EU is working on legislation that would force the company to allow apps to be installed from outside the Apple App Store, according to Tech Central.

“If we are forced to let unvetted apps onto iPhones, the unintended consequences will be profound,” Cook said.

“Data-hungry companies would be able to avoid our privacy rules and once again track our users against their will,” he added.

According to eNCA, this battle about the App Store policies comes after the company clashed in court with Fortnite creator Epic Games, which has been trying to break Apple’s grip on the App Store. Epic Games accused the iPhone maker of operating a monopoly in its shop for digital goods or services.

After the litigation proceedings, a federal judge ordered Apple to loosen control of its App Store payment options but said Epic had failed to prove that antitrust violations had taken place.

Apple argued any changes to its policies would take away consumer choice from iPhone users, adding that it would also change the iPhone to be more like the Android instead, according to reports.

“Proponents of these regulations argue that no harm would be done by simply giving people a choice, but taking away a more secure option will leave users with less choice, not more,” Cook said.

Some major tech companies including Spotify and Microsoft are reportedly in favour of opening up the App Store.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Apple CEO Says That Android Has 47 Times More Malware Than iOS

June 21, 2021

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that Android has significantly more malware than iOS and that “sideloading” smartphone apps is something “not in the best interest of users.” Virtually speaking at the VivaTech 2021 conference in Paris, France, on June 16, Cook claims that Android carries “47 times more malware” than Apple’s OS because of the way that iOS has been designed. Namely, that there’s only one App Store and that all Apps loaded to the Store undergo a strict review process.

Android-operating devices allow users to sideload apps, meaning that users can download apps directly from third parties or websites into their phones without having to go through the Google Play store. Obviously, unaware users can be caught off-guard by malware in sideloaded apps, especially if they are not completely certain about the origin of the apps in question.

Cook says that if Apple would allow sideloading as Google does with Android, “it would destroy the security and privacy of the iOS platform.”

The Digital Markets Act is a newly proposed European law that aims to prevent tech mega-companies from monopolising their position in the market. When asked for his thoughts on the proposed act, Cook signalled Apple’s opposition to it. Cook claims that the act would force Apple to allow users to install software outside of the App Store, i.e. sideloading.

“As I look at the tech regulation that’s being discussed, I think there are good parts of it, and then I think there are parts of it that are not in the best interests of the user,” Cook says about the DMA, quoted by Gadgets 360.

Despite what Cook says, the DMA is squarely aimed at companies with massive consumer bases – all the big names in tech: Apple, Google, Amazon, etc. The act is trying to get the companies to open their platforms to competitors. For example, allowing Google-developed apps to be downloadable on the App Store.

DMA will also seek to build fairer business environments for enterprises and individuals who depend on “gatekeepers” such as Google or Apple platforms to offer their services in a single market, at least in Europe.

However, other regions may begin to implement similar acts in order to seek more openness from the tech monoliths of today. Cook declined to provide any details about Apple’s upcoming products during the interview, and only saying that there’s always “something up [Apple’s] sleeve.”