Apple shared that several government agencies in the EU and other countries have expressed security concerns over new App Store rules requiring Apple to allow alternative app stores and payment options on iPhones.
Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple will need to permit “sideloading” (installing apps without its App Store) starting in March.
Apple said some government bodies responsible for defense, banking, and emergency services contacted them worried about employees sideloading unauthorized apps on work devices.
Apple said, “These agencies – especially those serving essential functions such as defense, banking, and emergency services – have reached out to us about these new changes.”
“One EU government agency informed us that it had neither the funding nor the personnel to review and approve apps for its devices, and so planned to continue to rely on Apple and the App Store because it trusts us to comprehensively vet apps,” Apple continued.
One unnamed EU agency said it lacked funds and staff to properly vet all apps, so would continue relying on Apple for app screening.
While the new rules aim to open up competition, Apple maintained sideloading could compromise security, with some government IT administrators planning to block the practice entirely on managed devices.
