Tech Peak » Why Does the European Union Want Apple to Allow App Sideloading?

Why Does the European Union Want Apple to Allow App Sideloading?

by david2713miller
Apple

Apple’s philosophy regarding its products and marketing has always been in stark contrast to Google’s Android. This first conscious effort was made by Steve Jobs when the first Apple iPhone was introduced to the public. So much so that the development language it is built on is vastly different from Java—the development language of choice for Android. On the other hand, preferred its operating system and applications to run on Objective-C but has since made the switch to Swift.

Apple Introduced these Intentional Differences for One Very Good Reason

Apple introduced these intentional differences for one very good reason: to polarize the consumer space as much as possible. This is precisely why MacBooks are vastly different from Windows laptops and Chromebooks. Why iPads are in a different league altogether compared to Android’s offerings and Amazon’s Kindle. And finally, why the iPhone is so different both in form and function from Android phones.

This translates to different security implementations, installation methods, development methods, and even device operability. While the recent iterations of Android and iOS have blurred the lines of operability, they still exist. The two operating systems couldn’t look and feel more different from one another.

One Key Area Where the Two Differ Greatly

One key area where the two differ greatly is in terms of the control they offer to the end-user. Google is an open-source platform and prioritizes a community of developers to help its OS improve. This was especially true in the early days of Android, where community feedback and developer support were the two biggest lifelines for Google. Apple, however, patrols its “walled garden” with extreme prejudice. Nothing comes in or out without Apple’s consent. Even popular gaming developers such as Epic Games (producers of the cult classic, Fortnite) have had to resort to courtrooms to try and get their way, but to no avail. Apple doesn’t budge. Not to consumers, partners, or federal authorities.

Android has no such stringent philosophies at its core. But this doesn’t mean that it makes Android more compromised as an operating system. The two are equally secure, with a few caveats in the case of Android.

Take sideloading, for instance. Most Apple users aren’t familiar with this terminology either. This is ironic as it is a popular word in the average Android user’s lexicon. It is because Apple devices or OS does not allow for the practice of sideloading to exist. Android does, though, as long as the user is to blame for any awkward practices or security vulnerabilities that may arise from it. Sideloading can be used to download apps that are blacklisted from the Google Play Store. Most of these apps haven’t passed security tests from Google, while others claim to be able to hack phones and teach you how to access photos saved on the monitored device or exponentially increase social media follower counts.

Google trusts you. Apple trusts itself. That is the bottom line.

What is Sideloading?

Apps aren’t only available on the official Apple and Android app stores. They’re littered across the internet. Children as young as nine years old are now able to build their unique applications from scratch. But getting these apps listed on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store can be a separate asinine task for most.

These app stores have strict rules and testing parameters that most apps just don’t meet. The result? They are never listed, and so the developer’s ambitions of having their app used by the masses, or to earn money from it never reach fruition. At least that’s the case if you’ve developed an application for iOS. Android plays things slightly differently.

Third-party app stores exist for Android apps that don’t follow the same strict criteria enforced by Google. These app stores list software of all types in handy APK format. The APK, or Android application package, can then be downloaded manually on any Android phone and installed by allowing third-party installation in the Setting menu. This process is known as sideloading and is common on Windows devices too. Apple does not allow sideloading on any of its devices, citing security risks as the biggest reason.

Apple’s Walled Garden

While security may be the biggest compromise in favor of sideloading, Apple’s walled garden approach comes first. As we stated earlier, nothing comes in or leaves without Apple’s consent.

Back when jailbreaking iPhones and iPads was common, sideloading was an easy workaround to download applications that weren’t available on the Apple App Store. Today, not only is jailbreaking an iPhone rare and seen as a violation of warranty by Apple but not even a consideration for many of Cupertino’s userbase. Consumers buy into the Apple ecosystem with the promise of “it just works,” and reliable and consistent security updates to their devices. Apple has, for the large part, remained committed to securing its devices. It is the only phone manufacturer releasing its latest software for iPhones as old as seven years.

Why Does the EU Think Otherwise?

In March 2022, the European Union was set to pass the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that, if accepted, would enforce Apple to allow sideloading on its devices. This flies right in the face of Apple’s consistent claims of providing the highest standards of security to its customers. The sentiment has been second by Tim Cook (CEO of Apple) in the past too, who is quote as saying that sideloading would “destroy the security of the iPhone.”

So why then would the EU pitch such a proposal in the first place? The answer: protecting consumer interests. According to the EU, the consumer, not the company, should have the ultimate say in how the device they purchase should be use. The DMA would also entail allowing developers to use the App Store without using Apple’s designated payment systems. This is a particular bone of contention for Apple who fought a lengthy (and costly) trial against Epic Games in 2021 over a similar case.

The DMA hasn’t been approve yet but is expect to be vote in without much resistance as early as October 2022.

If and when it comes into effect remains to be seen. For now, Apple has complete control over its app services and distribution, but that may set to change very soon.

Apple’s Security

Apple’s argument of compromising security may also have issues. As one only needs to look at its biggest rival Android to gauge the veracity of the problem. In Android circles, sideloading has always been an option. It has very rarely (if ever) been the subject of a security breach.

Plus, in times when governments know how to access photos saved on the monitored device (iPhone or Android) using Pegasus, the entire concept of security barriers falls flat. This doesn’t mean that all attempts to shore up security protocols by Apple are unfound, however. They’re necessary. What it does entail is the eventual free-roaming of Apple’s own userbase in its walled garden.

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