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In response to Tim Cook's comments in June, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Apple should not use privacy and security concerns to stifle competition in the App Store.
Vestager, the executive vice president of the European Commission, has proposed regulations that could force Apple to allow alternative app stores. Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke out against the proposal, saying they could threaten the privacy and security of iOS. In a interview Speaking to Reuters, Vestager acknowledged that privacy and security are important factors for consumers, but warned the Cupertino-based tech giant against using concerns about them to fend off competition.
I think privacy and security are of paramount importance to everyone. The important thing here, of course, is that it's not a shield against competition, because I don't think customers are going to give up security or privacy when they use a different app store or when they sideload.
Apple has already argued against sideloading
Vestager added that she was open to changes to her proposals, which must be introduced by EU member states and lawmakers before they can become law.
I think it is possible to find solutions.
Sideloading, or the distribution of apps outside of the official iOS App Store, has also been a topic of conversation in antitrust debates in the US - including during the Epic Games vs. Apple trial. Apple published a report in June describing why the company is against sideloading on its own platforms. The EU competition watchdog told Reuters that recent privacy changes to iOS, including app tracking transparency, are not currently a target for antitrust authorities. In fact, she praised Apple's new privacy controls. (Photo by Unsplash / Carles Rabada)
