Apple Warns of Cybercrime Risks if EU Forces It to Allow Others' Software 59706x Technology News

Apple has been a fierce critic of EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager's proposed rules. 1w5o56

By Reuters | Updated: 14 October 2021 12:10 IST

Apple Warns of Cybercrime Risks if EU Forces It to Allow Others' Software

Apple took a swipe at digital rs with whom it is at loggerheads over its new privacy controls 4p1o20

Highlights

The group wants regulators to loosen Apple's grip on its App Store
Apple published an analysis on the threats of so-called side-loading
The study cited figures from Kaspersky Lab

ment

Apple on Wednesday ramped up its criticism of EU draft rules that would force it to allow s to install software from outside its App Store, saying that would boost the risk of cybercriminals and malware. But the Coalition for App Fairness, which includes Spotify, Match Group, and Epic Games, dismissed Apple's arguments, saying that built-in security measures such as encrypted data and antivirus programmes provide security to devices, not its App Store.

The group wants regulators to loosen App Store so they can by it to reach Apple's hundreds of millions of s and also to avoid paying commissions of up to 30 percent for purchases made in the Store.

The Margrethe Vestager's proposed rules, announced last year in a bid to rein in Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Alphabet unit Google.

Apple Exploring AirPods That Take Temperature, Monitor Posture: Report

Building on CEO Tim Cook's comments in June about the risks to privacy and security of iPhone devices, Apple on Wednesday published an analysis on the threats of so-called side-loading.

"If Apple were forced to sideloading, more harmful apps would reach s because it would be easier for cybercriminals to target them – even if sideloading were limited to third-party app stores only," the report said.

It warned of malicious apps migrating to third-party stores and infecting consumer devices, while s would have less control over ed apps.

Apple 'Unleashed' October Event Announced: MacBook Pros, AirPods Expected

The study cited figures from cybersecurity services provider Kaspersky Lab which showed nearly six million attacks per month affected Android mobile devices.

A lawyer for the group, Damien Geradin, said side-loading was just a distraction.

"What matters to us is the obligation imposed on developers whose apps sell digital goods and services to use Apple In-App payment system," he told Reuters.

"On that Apple's security claims have no legs. Alternative payment solutions provided by Stripe, Adyen or Paypal are as safe as IAP," he said.

The draft EU rules also target these practices.

Apple also took a swipe at digital rs with whom it is at loggerheads over its new privacy controls designed to limit them from tracking iPhone s.

"Large companies that rely on digital advertising allege that they have lost revenue due to these privacy features, and may therefore have an incentive to distribute their apps via sideloading specifically to by these protections," the report said.

Vestager's draft rules need the green light from EU lawmakers and EU countries before they can become law, likely to be in 2023.

GoPro-like gimbal gimmicks, and OIS on all four cameras — is Vivo X70 Pro+ worthy of Rs. 80,000? We discussed this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Comments

For the latest reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.