Apple's Phil Schiller Discusses Risks of Alternative App Stores on iPhone

[MacRumors]

Starting with iOS 17.4, currently in beta, Apple is allowing alternative app marketplaces on the iPhone in the EU. Apple made this change to comply with new regulations under the EU's Digital Markets Act, which takes full effect next month.

In an interview with Fast Company's Michael Grothaus published today, Apple's former marketing chief and current App Store head Phil Schiller said there are privacy and security risks associated with these alternative app marketplaces:

"These new regulations, while they bring new options for developers, also bring new risks. There's no getting around that. So we're doing everything we can to minimize those risks for everyone," Schiller told me in a recent discussion about the privacy and security impact of the European Commission's Digital Markets Act.

One of these risks is the potential for users to download malicious or unsafe apps, although Apple will be notarizing all apps through a combination of automated processes and a basic human review in order to prevent these apps from being available on alternative app marketplaces as much as possible. Still, Apple has said notarization will not be as thorough as its App Store review process and guidelines that developers must adhere to.

Another risk is that the App Store's strict rules surrounding objectionable content might not extend to alternative app marketplaces, according to Schiller:

"We have dealt with a lot of input from families, from governments, on things that we need to do to try to either not allow certain kinds of objectionable content on our App Store, or give users control over that experience to decide what’s best for themselves—and we have rules around that," Schiller says. "Those rules will not apply in another marketplace unless they choose to make rules of their own, [with] whatever criteria they come up with. Does that increase the risk of users, and families, running into objectionable content or other experiences? Yes, it does."

Schiller's comments reiterate many of the risks that Apple outlined on its website:

If not properly managed, alternative distribution poses increased privacy, safety, and security risks for users and developers. This includes risks from installing software from unknown developers that are not subject to the Apple Developer Program requirements, installing software that compromises system integrity with malware or other malicious code, the distribution of pirated software, exposure to illicit, objectionable, and harmful content due to lower content and moderation standards, and increased risks of scams, fraud, and abuse. Apple has less ability to address these risks, and to support and refund customers regarding these issues. Even with safeguards, many of these risks remain.

The full interview can be read on Fast Company's website.

Article Link: Apple's Phil Schiller Discusses Risks of Alternative App Stores on iPhone

 

[contacos]

Well anything in life is a risk but if I want to jump out of a plane or install some 3rd party app, that’s my decision to make.

Next

 

[antiprotest]

Well anything in life is a risk but if I want to jump out of a plane or install some 3rd party app, that’s my decision to make.

Next

You are not wrong, but from Apple's perspective, not only do they not want to lose control, but when security issues inevitably occur, people will blame Apple for it, so I think they want to minimize that.

 

[till]

Yeah it's so easy to find "objectionable content" by searching for an alternative app store, downloading it, installing it, opening it, and searching for an app.

Or you could just open Safari.

 

[erikkfi]

This guy is genuinely just Apple marketing-speak in human form. I’ve never heard or read one insightful thing from him.

 

[Shirasaki]

Yeah whatever. Typical “we care about user” crap. They won’t admit it but when their word counts, commitment will not follow.

One way to break apples current culture is to force the change upon them. EU is only just the start.

 

[Shirasaki]

You are not wrong, but from Apple's perspective, not only do they not want to lose control, but when security issues inevitably occurs, people will blame Apple for it, so I think they want to minimize that.

Minimise that by making App Store free of scam apps and predatory apps, as well as protecting genuine developer’s intellectual property. If App Store was good, why so many people complain about it endlessly and demand alternatives?

 

[bankshot]

Every time Apple execs go through this song & dance about how risky it is to install software outside the App Store, they’re basically saying that the sandboxing built into iOS is garbage and doesn’t work. You can’t have it both ways. That, and we all know about the huge numbers of copycat scam apps that get through Apple’s review process.

The whole argument is disingenuous, and is clearly only about one thing: the risk of Apple losing that juicy revenue stream.

 

[brofkand]

I don't need Daddy Apple to protect me. Those that do need protection should not install apps from external sources. Apple should remove all the walls for those who want them gone.

 

[Corefile]

Phil hasn't been wheeled out in a long time since his ass was last innovating. Whatever happened to Eddy Cue?

 

[Steve-Jobz]

Apple treats all people as equals as Pro Babies.

Oh, Mr. Tim, we will follow the kindergarten rules, learn the alphabet, and brush our teeth carefully 🍼👶

 

[organisum]

delete

 

[toobravetosave]

You are not wrong, but from Apple's perspective, not only do they not want to lose control, but when security issues inevitably occur, people will blame Apple for it, so I think they want to minimize that.

Nobody seems to blame apple when their bank accounts are drained from scam apps approved on the App Store

 

[FILIPSN007]

They just scaring people nothing else. I don't know about you but I am not scared of unknown.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

The time when Apple cared about privacy was over when they started entering the ad business.

 

[iPay]

How can this guy be a top exec and not even consider the implications for the Apple tax?
They should have sent the Eddy Cue, he's more open discussing Apple's interests.

 

[raythompsontn]

install some 3rd party app, that’s my decision to make.

That is fine. Then don't blame Apple when your iPhone or iPad goes wonky and requires a complete reinstall of the OS.

Apple has protected their ecosystem for years to minimize problems for the users. Opening up the system to apps that have not been vetted by Apple is not a good idea. Think about Windows driver problems and user software. Or better yet, look at the problems with nefarious apps in the Android world.

This decision was made by government workers, technological clods, most of whom still have their VCR flashing 12:00.

 

[garranhado]

Developers also forget about piracy 🏴‍☠️. All my macOS apps comes from piracy unlike iOS apps I need to buy, I can’t find on piracy.

 

[AppliedMicro]

„But… but… just think of the children!“

 

[lkrupp]

Just take a look at the Apple Community Forums to see how users get nailed by installing crapware or malware on their Macs. And they DO blame Apple for it, expecting Apple to be protecting them from it. I’m not in opposition to third party app stores on the iPhone but users will install crapware and malware on their iPhones and WILL blame Apple for it as Well. The Wild West on the iOS platform is just beginning.

I will be happy to tell iPhone users who bricked their device or got scammed to take it up with their bank, the developer, but not Apple. Too bad, so sad. And when their kid runs up their bill in some game they purchased and paid for through a third party (Fortnite), again not Apple’s problem anymore.

 

[Biro]

No one who has an opinion on this subject is going to change their mind. I just find galling the naivete or selfishness of those who say “just don’t download third-party apps.” Now that there will be new pathways for malware to make it to Apple devices, more of said malware will be written. And I guarantee once it’s out there, it’ll find its way around the globe pretty quickly.

 

[BGPL]

The only risk for Apple is loss of revenue. Everything else they claim is a diversion or just a blatant lie. The Vision Pro is crippled by this even more so than the iPhone/iPad. I'm returning my Vision Pro due to its limitations, among other things.

 

[klasma]

He forgot to mention the risk of Apple losing revenue. That risk is obviously best mitigated by denying users any freedom that might decrease their revenue.

 

[lkrupp]

Nobody seems to blame apple when their bank accounts are drained from scam apps approved on the App Store

Oh yes they do. You must not visit the Apple Community Forums where this goes on all the time. It happened on their iPhone so Apple is responsible to make them whole.

 

[TruthAboveAllElse]

Yeah it's so easy to find "objectionable content" by searching for an alternative app store, downloading it, installing it, opening it, and searching for an app.

Or you could just open Safari.

Or Telegram, or Reddit.