Apple’s biggest midcycle update ever for the iPhone is coming soon (here’s exactly when). It will bring major upgrades to all iPhone users everywhere, including major security upgrades to iMessage. But the biggest change is for iPhone users in the EU in response to the Digital Markets Act. Today, Apple told me what these changes mean and how it could affect all users, especially if the US or UK governments follow suit with their own legislation. If you decide to do so, please explain.
Apple iOS 17.4 will change everything
Updates for March 2nd are as follows. This post was first published by him on March 1, 2024.
The changes for iPhone users in the EU are comprehensive. Apple is opening up the iOS system to allow sideloading of apps on alternative marketplaces, allowing web browsers that aren’t based on WebKit that underpins Safari, and making other payment mechanisms other than Apple Pay available on phones. It is requested that it be made available for use.
Apple has now released a 32-page white paper stating that while it takes every precaution possible to maintain the privacy and security of iPhone users, it cannot guarantee that it will be as secure as before. He explains.
Apple explained to me that they have introduced new features to protect users, but that their current arrangements do not allow them to protect users in the way they can. The white paper states: “To be DMA compliant, we created new options for developers and users and built over 600 new APIs and developer tools to enable these changes. These changes include enabling sideloading to allow apps to be downloaded through app marketplaces other than the Store, enabling alternative methods of processing payments in the App Store, and many other changes that will improve your security and privacy. We needed to change the uniquely successful approach we have adopted to protect and keep our customers safe.”
Some organizations, for example banks, have contacted Apple to express their concerns and say they want to remain only on the App Store and may not allow apps to be downloaded to devices with sideloaded apps. He said it might be considered. . Currently, Apple has no way to tell banks whether an iPhone has downloaded an app from an external marketplace, for example.
Apple warns that predatory payment methods, mobile ransomware, and consumer spyware could become more concentrated on iPhones if they are deemed vulnerable or less secure.
For me, the key words for this whitepaper are: “In reality, EU users will lose the option of remaining exclusively in the App Store and retaining all of Apple’s industry-leading protections, even if that’s what they want.” ”
Of course, users can easily decide whether to use only the App Store, a web browser such as WebKit-based Safari, or choose to pay with Apple Pay.
You may also want to add apps to your phone that aren’t on the App Store. Apple is also concerned about this, saying it will lose control over external content. “This means that Apple cannot block apps that contain content that Apple does not allow in the App Store, such as those that distribute pornography or those that promote consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, and excessive alcohol.” or prevent apps that contain pirated content (or that steal ideas or intellectual property from other developers) from being available on alternative app marketplaces. ”
Spotify has already responded to the white paper, saying Apple is trying to “scare everyone about privacy and security.”
The changes are coming to iPhone in the next few days, but it could be weeks or longer before we see their effects.
Updated on March 2nd. It’s safe to say that there’s already been a very strong reaction to Apple’s DMA changes, and not necessarily positive ones. (This is an example of British understatement.) Avery Gardiner, Spotify’s global director of competition policy, told the Press Association news agency, as reported by Martin Lundy. independent person. Gardiner said Apple’s warning that iPhones need to be made less secure to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) means that “the only way to ensure privacy and security is for monopolists to use their monopoly power.” It is the same as saying, “It is allowing continued abuse.”
Gardiner, Spotify’s head of competition policy, also said the idea that security and privacy only comes from Apple’s own App Store is “absolutely not true.”
“If Apple was the only way to keep things private and secure, why didn’t Android users flock to Apple and leave Android over privacy and security concerns? No,” she told the PA news agency.
While that’s true, it’s also likely that a significant number of iPhone users remain loyal to Apple precisely because they enjoy impeccable security and privacy.
Mr. Gardiner took no offense at all. “This is their tactic around the world to scare everyone about privacy and security. The only way to ensure privacy and security is to allow monopolies to continue abusing their monopoly power. Tell them it is. I understand why they did it, but it’s not true.”
She continued: “Apple has announced a series of proposed rules that are not DMA compliant.” “At the most basic level, we have to opt-in to onerous new pricing structures to take advantage of the rights given to us by the European Parliament.” The idea that you have to do that is strange. The DMA is very clear: App stores must allow developers to communicate their offers for free. That’s what it says. “Unless you choose a new and troublesome fee structure,” it does not say.
Finally, she said, “On its face, it is not DMA compliant. Unless Apple changes its stance, the Commission will need to open an investigation.”
