Tim Cook says sideloading apps would ‘destroy iPhone security’ — is he right?
Apple CEO Tim Cook continues to adamantly defend Apple’s closed iOS ecosystem by saying that side-loading of apps, a feature currently found on Android, PC and MacOS, would “destroy the security of the iPhone.”
Cook spoke out against the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) bill in an interview with Brut. He said it would “force sideloading on the iPhone” as things stand.
Right now, the App Store is the only official way to download iOS apps, save for the developer Testflight program. Currently, rising antitrust scrutiny and a proposed EU law could require the company to open up iOS to other app stores, which would make iPhones more like Android phones.
Cook claimed Android has 47 times more malware than iOS because of sideloading. However, it’s unclear whether that figure’s accurate, as Android Authority points out.
The Apple CEO has a fair point. The App Store’s app review system helps protect iOS devices from scammers and malware. The privacy labels and blocking cross-app tracking are positives for users, too. Cook said those would disappear unless users stuck to Apple’s ecosystem, as he worries “deeply about privacy and security.” The App Store also does a decent job of curation to help users find useful or engaging software.
But having alternative iPhone app stores could be great for users. As long as people are careful and use antivirus software, turning iOS into a more open platform would help users get the most out of their iPhones. Per some advocates, you should be able to do almost whatever you want with a device you own.
