In a long interview with the New York Times, Tim Cook explains why it is impossible to install applications without going through the App Store. The boss of Apple believes that it is his responsibility to ensure the protection of the personal data of his users and the quality of the overall experience.
Apple ardently defends its economic model. Especially in terms of applications and how to integrate them into its ecosystem. The firm prevents installing applications without going through the App Store and requires developers to use its own payment system. This obviously causes friction with other firms. Facebook and Epic Games, for the most recent.
Also Read - iOS 14.5: Apple Blocks Apps That Do Not Respect Anti-Tracking Measures
On the occasion of a very long (but fascinating) interview with Kara Swisher, reporter for the New York Times, Tim Cook returns once again to the reasons which push Apple to prohibit the installation of applications that do not come from the App Store. And, even if the app exists on the App Store, it is not possible to download another version of it elsewhere to apply an update. The reasons are the same as before. And Tim Cook calls them back.
Privacy, Security and Quality of Experience
The main reason is the protection of users' personal data. Respect for privacy is one of the major development axes of iOS 14.5. Apple guarantees that the apps on the App Store meet these criteria, even if they don't like it. This is particularly the case of Facebook, which protests against the changes to come in iOS 14.5. The second reason is the quality of the experience. By downloading a validated app, Apple ensures that the app works as it should. No hidden defect. No illegal content.
The boss of Apple explains in the interview that these teams receive every week 100 application validation requests. Only 60% obtain this validation. The rest are rejected because they don't perform as expected or because they don't follow Apple's rules. “You can imagine what would happen in a very short time if this job were to disappear,” he argues.
Finally, the App Store integrates a secure payment system where consumers can buy goods in peace. Tim Cook says it would be impossible to provide this level of service if it were possible to install apps in any other way.
These are important arguments. Not only in the context of the “Fortnite” case, where Apple is being sued by Epic Games for abuse of a dominant position vis-à-vis the App Store and its integrated payment system. But also in the face of competition from Google andAndroid where it is possible to install APKs after downloading them outside of the Play Store. Especially since the arguments of Tim Cook are also used to justify the commission of the firm on the sale of application or integrated purchases, the famous Apple Tax so decried by Epic Games in particular.
Source: New York Times
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