IPhone will be special in Europe. It goes against everything Apple!

It will begin to be possible to “sideload” applications on the iPhone, just as it is already possible on any Android smartphone. What is this? Well… It will begin to be possible to install applications outside of Apple’s official platform, the App Store. Something that, in case you didn’t know, goes against everything that defines an Apple product.

Why will it happen? It’s simple! The European Union is in charge!

IPhone will be special in Europe. It goes against everything Apple!

Therefore, Apple is being forced, and will continue to be forced, to open its ecosystem in various ways in the near future. An excellent example of the EU’s power is the recent implementation of USB-C ports across the entire range of iPhone smartphones, which extended to all models, in all regions of the globe. But things didn’t stop there, as we already had the opportunity to see from the promise of adopting the RCS standard on the iPhone, which should also be available on a global scale.

But you know what won’t be global? It’s sideloading!

Sideloading is another obligation imposed by the European Union, however, this time, Apple will focus on the functionality only on European territory. Would you like to install apps from other platforms, or simply “taken” from the Internet? You can take the horse out of the rain.

Why?

Security. Apple’s excuse is the security of the device, and all user information. Something that may really seem like an “excuse”, but deep down it even makes some sense.

After all, by installing apps from the App Store, Apple can ensure that what it installs is trustworthy and will not create future problems. Something complicated to control on Android, because in addition to being able to install apps freely, not even apps from the Play Store are always 100% safe.

Apple will try to improve security, even with less control in your hands!

In short, Apple does not want to offer these changes outside the EU because this is not the safest system for users in the ecosystem. In fact, the company has always been very clear regarding the consequences of these changes, highlighting:

• increased risks of malware,
• fraud and scams,
• illicit and objectionable content,
• reduced Apple’s ability to respond to and remove malicious applications.

In addition to all this, Apple also states that sideloading requires new technologies and processes that “have not been tested and may require further development”.

One of these technologies is called application notarization, which effectively analyzes each and every app to detect malware or other concerns. In addition, Apple also requires that third-party app stores be analyzed and subsequently authorized.

All of this is super curious, because MacBook computers already support the installation of external applications through a simple click of a button. Therefore, sideloading is in fact not a completely untested field for the Cupertino company. Still, we’re curious to see what effect these EU changes will have on iPhone security.