Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke on a number of broad topics at the New York Times DealBook summit including the company’s role in users’ mental health, the fact that he has personally invested in cryptocurrency, and sideloading.
Apple CEO Tim Cook reiterates his stance on sideloading in a new interview
During the interview with New York Times‘ Aaron Ross Sorkin, Cook was asked about the broader technology industry, Apple’s high-profile court battle with Epic Games, and more. When asked whether users should be given the choice to install apps from third-party sources other than Apple’s App Store through sideloading, the CEO once again said that Apple thinks its approach is best for user privacy and security.
“If you want to sideload, you can buy [an] Android phone. That choice exists when you go into the carrier shop,” the CEO said. “If that’s important to you, then you should buy an Android phone.” He went on to say that allowing users to sideload their own apps on iPhone would be like an automobile manufacturer selling a car without airbags or seat belts. “It’s just too risky to do that,” he said. “It wouldn’t be an iPhone if it didn’t maximize security and privacy.”
The CEO’s comments come shortly after Apple senior vice president Craig Federighi made related arguments during a speech at this year’s Web Summit. The company has also put out multiple reports this year to support the case against sideloading. In a privacy document released last month on sideloading, Apple claimed, “Supporting sideloading through direct downloads and third-party app stores would cripple the privacy and security protections that have made iPhone so secure, and expose users to serious security risks.”
In the same white paper, the company also highlights that 15 to 47 times more malware infections are found on Android devices than on iPhones because Google allows users to download apps on Android smartphones and tablets outside of the Play Store.
Read more:
- App Store’s privacy and security are Apple’s top priorities, “everything else is distant second”, says Tim Cook
- While Apple continues to denounce sideloading, Google announces alternative payment system in South Korea
- Apple says Android devices have 15 to 47 times more malware infections than iPhone because of sideloading
