Why it matters: Apple has repeatedly argued against sideloading in recent years in response to lawsuits and legislation. CEO Tim Cook this week used his keynote address at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) 2022 summit to do it again, framing the topic around the theme of the user privacy summit.

During his Tuesday IAPP keynote address (watch above) in Washington DC, Tim Cook said sideloading on iOS devices would allow advertisers and malicious actors to circumvent Apple’s app store regulations to steal and sell users’ data. . The Cupertino company built part of the reputation of its products on the measures it takes to protect that data.

Apple likes to defend its walled software garden for iOS and iPadOS devices by raising fears of malicious apps hosted on websites, and Cook’s speech mentioned this. He also theorized that companies could leave Apple’s App Store to get around the restrictions and more easily exploit user data.

Data collection was the subject of Last Week Tonight’s episode last weekend. Host John Oliver demonstrated his ease by revealing that the show’s staff had collected data on thousands of people around the US capital that fit politicians’ demographics.

Tim Cook’s speech cited attempts by the US and other governments to force Apple to allow sideloading to broaden competition. In late March, the European Union passed a major hurdle in legislation that would do just that for major platform owners like Apple.

Apple’s longtime legal opponent, Epic Games, has been a staunch champion of sideloading, accusing Apple of monopolistic practices. Some countries, such as the Netherlands and South Korea, have already passed laws that abolish the regulations of Apple’s app store.

This post Tim Cook defends Apple’s position against sideloading apps again

was original published at “https://www.techspot.com/news/94171-tim-cook-defends-apple-position-against-app-sideloading.html”