One of the criticisms Apple has been facing over the years, more so in recent times, is the tight control they have over the iPhone and the App Store, where it’s almost impossible to get apps outside of the App Store. This is versus other platforms like Android where users can easily sideload apps.
However, it seems that despite the request from some users to allow sideloading, Apple is putting its foot down on the matter. Speaking to Fast Company in a review, Apple’s head of user privacy Erik Neuenschwander said that allowing sideloading could lead users down “some dark alley” where they might be “tricked or duped”.
He also suggests that users who want to sideload might want to explore other platforms that already allow this. “Sideloading in this case is actually eliminating choice. Users who want that direct access to applications without any kind of review have sideloading today on other platforms.” While he does not explicitly mention Android in this case, it’s not hard to see which are the “other platforms” he’s talking about.
At the moment, Apple is facing multiple antitrust investigations in the US and in other countries around the world. Compounding this would be the legal battle that they’re also fighting against Epic over the App Store’s cut from developers which has the potential to set a precedent for future legal fights.
Filed in . Read more about Android, Apps and iOS. Source: fastcompany