When it comes down to some of the greatest dangers surrounding a user’s privacy, several things come to mind. And they include cookies, hackers, and numerous apps in search of users’ data.
But thanks to Apple and its CEO Tim Cook, the world is getting aware of another huge threat that needs a special mention and more public attention and that is app sideloading.
The issue was highlighted by the CEO on Tuesday at the IAPP’s summit for global privacy and that is where plenty of critics came forward and criticized all the legislation in place that forced Apple to incorporate app sideloading in its iPhones.
Cook boldly mentioned in his presentation how so many people argued that there was no risk in giving iOS users a choice but he felt that was not the case. In fact, that would result in a major downfall, putting users at risk and leaving them with no option at all.
Similarly, the CEO spoke about the great risks attached to app sideloading and how it undermines the hard work spent by the tech giant in protecting its App Store, which obviously is the only manner by which third-party applications can be downloaded.
The Apple CEO did not shy away from unveiling how policymakers in the country were making moves and labeling them as competition, forcing the company to allow apps that avoid its Play Store. In the end, so many companies would end up avoiding the tech giant’s privacy rules and end up tracking them.
Cook also highlighted in his remarks how bad actors would get easier access around their stringent privacy regulations, allowing them to be in direct communication with Apple users.
To further validate his point, the company’s CEO gave Android’s example and how its operational systems allow sideloading, resulting in malware circulation. In this way, users may get their desired apps from numerous sources and third-party stores, as compared to solely relying upon the Play Store.
This was followed by an example of the pandemic where Cook mentioned so many users downloaded apps that could trace the virus and while they may have appeared legitimate, to begin with, that just wasn’t the case.
The end results included their smartphones being infested with malware but he said they were not any iOS users involved as the malicious campaign targeted those individuals who could get apps from sources that circumvented the company’s defenses strongly prevalent on its App Store.
Read next: Apple Has Released A Report Detailing Just How Well Third-Party Apps Perform On The App Store
But thanks to Apple and its CEO Tim Cook, the world is getting aware of another huge threat that needs a special mention and more public attention and that is app sideloading.
The issue was highlighted by the CEO on Tuesday at the IAPP’s summit for global privacy and that is where plenty of critics came forward and criticized all the legislation in place that forced Apple to incorporate app sideloading in its iPhones.
Similarly, the CEO spoke about the great risks attached to app sideloading and how it undermines the hard work spent by the tech giant in protecting its App Store, which obviously is the only manner by which third-party applications can be downloaded.
The Apple CEO did not shy away from unveiling how policymakers in the country were making moves and labeling them as competition, forcing the company to allow apps that avoid its Play Store. In the end, so many companies would end up avoiding the tech giant’s privacy rules and end up tracking them.
Cook also highlighted in his remarks how bad actors would get easier access around their stringent privacy regulations, allowing them to be in direct communication with Apple users.
To further validate his point, the company’s CEO gave Android’s example and how its operational systems allow sideloading, resulting in malware circulation. In this way, users may get their desired apps from numerous sources and third-party stores, as compared to solely relying upon the Play Store.
This was followed by an example of the pandemic where Cook mentioned so many users downloaded apps that could trace the virus and while they may have appeared legitimate, to begin with, that just wasn’t the case.
The end results included their smartphones being infested with malware but he said they were not any iOS users involved as the malicious campaign targeted those individuals who could get apps from sources that circumvented the company’s defenses strongly prevalent on its App Store.
Read next: Apple Has Released A Report Detailing Just How Well Third-Party Apps Perform On The App Store
