'Even if you have no intention of sideloading, people are routinely coerced or tricked into doing it,' Federighi said, citing malware on Google's Android, which allows sideloading. Instead, he argued sideloading would cause users to be tricked into downloading malware. On Wednesday, Federighi didn't address the potential financial impact to Apple. SEC last month, Apple specifically named the Digital Markets Act and said that, if enacted, it could require changes to Apple's App Store that might harm the company's financial results. Failure to comply could result in fines as high as 10% of the companies' worldwide annual revenue. It contains a series of rules that would require them to open up their platforms to competitors. The Act is designed to stop companies like Apple, Google and Meta, the company previously known as Facebook, from abusing their power. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, presented the Digital Markets Act last December.
Instead of creating choice, it could open up a Pandora's Box of unreviewed malware and software.'
'But requiring sideloading on iPhone would be a step backward. 'European policymakers have often been ahead of the curve,' Federighi said. Apple is particularly concerned about the Digital Markets Act, which CEO Tim Cook has previously said would result in Apple being forced to allow 'sideloading,' or the ability to install iPhone apps from the web instead of through Apple's App Store.
