Apple is once again battling bills that would force the company to allow distribution of iOS apps outside of the App Store. This time, the company urged U.S. lawmakers to reject an antitrust bill in the U.S. Senate that would allow users to install any app they want on iPhone and iPad.
Like Bloomberg reported, Apple has now sent a letter to members of a US Senate committee that is considering the bill. It states that such a law, if passed, would "compromise user security and privacy, create high liability risk and legal uncertainty, and deprive consumers of choice." Tim Powderly, Apple's head of government affairs in the Americas, wrote that if Congress passed the law, it would lead to "malware, fraud and data exploitation" spreading on the iPhone and iPad. Powderly writes:
iPhone users don't have to fear malware and the like
We are deeply concerned that the legislation, unless amended, would make it easier for major social media platforms to circumvent the consumer-friendly practices of Apple's App Store and allow them to carry on business as usual. Sideloading would allow bad actors to circumvent Apple's privacy and security safeguards by distributing apps without critical privacy and security checks. These provisions would allow malware, fraud and data exploitation to proliferate.
Apple is fighting tooth and nail against any legislation that would allow apps outside of the App Store to be loaded onto the iPhone. The company says its tight control over the apps on the iPhone builds consumer confidence. Anyone who uses an iPhone knows they don't have to worry about downloading malicious apps, as they go through an extensive review process by Apple's App Store team. Whether the bill passes committee and how it fares in the full U.S. Senate remains to be seen, of course. (Photo by Denys Prykhodov / Bigstockphoto)
