Some rules of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which goes into effect on March 7, scare companies and government agencies. Among these rules also the fact that Apple will have to offer alternative app stores on iPhones and allowing you not to use its in-app payment system, which has commissions of up to 30%.
Hence the concerns, this rule is only European, about the security risks. Obviously Apple is riding the fears given that “sideloading”, i.e installing applications on a mobile device without using its dedicated app store, undoubtedly involves some risk given that the apps that can be downloaded will no longer be controlled by Apple, facilitating the possibility of intrusion by cybercriminals.
Apple said it has been contacted by companies and government agencies which perform essential functions such as defence, banking and emergency services. These entities, according to Apple, are in the process of preventing employees from sideloading apps on iPhones given to employees and intend to block all devices they manage.
Security issues for businesses and government agencies
“An EU government agency has informed us that it has neither the funds nor the staff to review and approve apps for its devices and that it will continue to rely on Apple and the App Store because it trusts us to monitor complete with apps,” Apple said. The Digital Act was strongly supported by companies such as Epic Games, creator of Fortnite, and Spotify which operates in the music sector, which for many years have been fighting not to pay the high commissions requested by Apple to sell their apps through the App Store.
Cupertino has prepared a new version of iOS 17.4 for Europe
This is a historic novelty, as already mentioned valid only in Europe, for Apple’s operating system which had to prepare a new version of iOS, 17.4, to allow the so-called Sidesliding. The move towards support of third-party apps are iPhone represents a radical change in the politics of Apple.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook had manifested the his dissent during a conference as early as 2021, stating that the sideloading in apps threatens it iPhone security and it would compromise many privacy initiatives integrate nell’App Store.
Payment Concessions in the United States
In the United States, Apple recently allowed developers to direct customers to payment methods outside the App Store, while still imposing high commissions and to apply strict rules. The EU announced that the American company has agreed to allow the third-party payment apps and you have mobile wallets to use the iPhone NFC chippaving the way for greater competition for Apple Pay e Apple Wallet. However, it is not known when the Cupertino company will actually implement this change.
The alternative app store Setapp will be ready in April
Among the first alternative app stores is Setapp which should be ready in April. This channel will mainly include business and productivity tools, creative and design software and more generally utility apps.