Under the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act, Apple will be forced to allow iPhone users to sideload apps similar to Android users. In order to comply with EU regulations, Apple is expected to allow users to download and install apps outside Apple’s App Store with the upcoming iOS 17 update. While this sounds great for users that are feeling a bit more adventurous, take note that it might not be available for everyone worldwide including Malaysia.
In an interview with Bloomberg’s Apple Analyst, Mark Gurman, he expects the sideloading feature to be limited to Europe only just to comply with the Digital Markets Act. However, developers may have to incur an additional fee to make their apps available through a third-party service. Apple is said to be downplaying the sideloading feature as it won’t even be mentioned during the upcoming WWDC developer event that’s happening in June.
Gurman shared that Apple has introduced market-specific features quietly in the past. To comply with regulatory requirements in the Netherlands, Apple allowed third-party payment systems for the first time only for dating apps in the Netherlands.
Apple has heavily opposed the move to allow sideloading with Tim Cook arguing that the move would destroy the security of the iPhone as well as other privacy initiatives. Even for Android, malware installed through sideloading of unknown apps has become a serious security issue, prompting banks and financial institutions in Malaysia to remind users not to download apps outside the official app stores such as Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.
Most of these sideloaded APK files contain malware sent by strangers which are designed to steal online banking credentials as well as OTP that’s sent via SMS, which will enable the perpetrator to empty their victim’s bank accounts. Most recently, Bank Negara Malaysia has instructed banks to move away from SMS-based OTP and the MCMC has instructed telcos to block links sent via SMS, in an attempt to curb phishing scams. By limiting app downloads to the App Store, such risks are minimised for iPhone users.
Previously, Apple had pushed back on the EU’s proposal which forces Apple to adopt USB-C ports as a standard. However, it looks like Apple will make USB-C the default charging port for its future iPhone model and it likely starts with the iPhone 15 series that’s coming out this year.
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