A new report from Apple titled “Building a Trusted Ecosystem for Millions of Apps” claims that if it were to allow to developers to distribute apps outside of the official app store, Apple would “expose users to serious security risks.” The report further suggests a range of hypothetical problems, including financial scams and ransomware.
This report has come out due to the pressure being put on Apple from developers and regulators over its app store. Apple is also waiting for the outcome of its legal battle over unfair terms being set by them with Epic Games.
Epic Games has been vocal about creating a competing storefront, but Apple doesn’t allow third-party app stores on its app store. Apple is also under investigation in the UK, US, and EU regarding its app store policies. An increasing number of developers are speaking up against the “Apple Tax” since the last year.
Apple has expressed its concerns regarding the forthcoming EU regulation of digital markets, which could force Apple to enable sideloading. The 16-page report released by Apple details all of the arguments against sideloading.
“Some have suggested that we should create ways for developers to distribute their apps outside of the App Store, through websites or third-party app stores,” the report says. “Allowing sideloading would degrade the security of the iOS platform and expose users to serious security risks.”
The report also states that allowing sideloading “would expose users to scammers who will exploit apps to mislead users, attack iPhone security features, and violate user privacy.”
Apple used real-world examples from Android systems where sideloading is permitted, which caused users to become victims of unscrupulous developers. Apple further claims developers could suffer from the sideloading as customers are more likely to try out new apps if they come from a trusted source.
