Apple on Friday said that a number of governmental agencies in the European Union and elsewhere have voiced concerns about security risks as Apple is forced to allow app sideloading its iPhones and iPads to rival app stores to comply with EU tech rules. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple will be required as of March 7th to offer alternative app stores on iPhones and iPads.
[Apple] said “sideloading” – installation of applications on a mobile device without using its dedicated app store – has sparked concerns from both EU and non-EU government agencies and users.
“These agencies – especially those serving essential functions such as defense, banking, and emergency services – have reached out to us about these new changes,” Apple said in a guidance paper.
It said the agencies wanted assurances that they would be able to prevent government employees from sideloading apps onto government-purchased iPhones and that several said they planned to block sideloading on every device they manage.
“One EU government agency informed us that it had neither the funding nor the personnel to review and approve apps for its devices, and so planned to continue to rely on Apple and the App Store because it trusts us to comprehensively vet apps,” Apple said.
MacDailyNews Take: With the eurocrat-stuffed quasi-governmental EU forcing Apple to make expenditures for something mandated by the shortsighted quasi-government (vetting sideloaded apps), Apple has the absolute right to charge developers and profit from those who wish to participate in third-party app stores for iPhone and iPad.
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