by New rules from the European Union will make phones across the continent less secure, according to Apple.
The EU’s Digital Markets Act, or DMA, will come into force soon and aims to introduce new controls on big tech companies, and give their users more choice.
In Apple’s case, that includes many changes, including allowing users to use other app stores to download apps from Apple’s official one. Apps will also need to allow the use of other payment methods.
Apple recently announced that it intended to comply with those rules, and provided details on how it will do so. But at the same time he criticized the new rules and said that there would be new dangers.
Now he has revealed more details about how the processes will work – as well as a warning that they will make people unsafe.
They mean that even if people don’t want to use the new technologies, like alternative app stores, they could be forced to use them, he said. He mentioned school or work apps that could be placed in those alternative app stores – giving people little choice but to use new and potentially unsafe ways to download apps.
The iPhone maker has published a new white paper, outlining how it will introduce new features to protect users from cyber attacks, malware and other risks under this new system, but the company said it cannot eliminate the risks yet. completely.
Until now, only apps approved by Apple appeared in its App Store accessible for download on the iPhone, and purchases in the App Store must be made through Apple’s own payment system – a so-called “walled garden” that Apple insists. it allows users and their data to be kept completely safe.
In its new report, Apple warns that it will “not be able to protect users in the same way” because it is required to use its “unique and successful approach” used to “protect the security and privacy of users”.
“To offer users the most secure, privacy-protected and secure platform – in line with what users have come to expect from Apple – we’ve designed and implemented new safeguards to help protect them and inform,” says the white paper.
“While the changes required by the DMA will inevitably create a gap between the protections Apple users outside the EU can rely on and the protections available to EU users going forward, we are working hard to ensure that the iPhone remains the safest of all. phones available in the EU by reducing the risks brought by these necessary changes – although we cannot completely eliminate those risks.”
Under the new system, Apple says it will introduce a new baseline review program for all apps, regardless of whether they are distributed through the App Store or another app marketplace.
Apple says it will electronically sign every app distributed in the EU once it has been checked and cleared for “malware and known threats, generally works as advertised, and does not expose users to serious fraud”.
However, the company confirmed that these new checks will not cover app content.
And he warned that this could see content that he does not allow within the App Store to be seen within his iPhone operating system in the EU.
“This means that Apple will not be able to block apps with content that Apple would not allow on the App Store – such as apps that distribute pornography, apps that encourage smoking or vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol, or apps that contain pirated content (or otherwise steal ideas or intellectual property from other developers) – from being available on other app marketplaces,” the white paper said.
But the US tech giant promised to “constantly monitor” apps to detect and remove any malicious applications it finds.
Under the new system in the EU, Apple will start showing users pop-up, on-screen alerts when they are about to leave the App Store to download an app or make a payment outside of the store and Apple’s payment system.
The company said this would enable users to “make educated choices about the apps they download”.
Apple said it had been contacted by consumers, governments and government agencies inside and outside the EU seeking assurance and clarity about the safety of the platform under the new rules.
Several other tech firms have previously accused Apple of maintaining a monopoly on the app market by not allowing app marketplaces or payment methods on the App Store.
The European Commission argues that the DMA gives consumers more and better services to choose from, and increases opportunities to switch providers if they wish, which will ultimately lead to fairer prices and contribute to innovation in the sector.
Additional reporting from agencies
