A new document published today by Apple states that third-party app stores and
The new document is called “Building a Trusted Ecosystem for Millions of Apps– analysis of threats associated with third-party downloads” and says:
iPhone is a very personal device whereusers store some of their most sensitive and personal data. This means that ensuring security and privacy in the iOS ecosystem is critical for users. However, some are demanding that Apple support app distribution outside the App Store, through direct downloads or third-party app stores, a process also called "third-party downloading." Supporting third-party downloads through direct downloads and third-party app stores will undermine the privacy and security protections that have made the iPhone so secure and expose users to serious security risks.
Apple notes that over the past four years,Between 15 and 47 times more malware was detected on Android devices than on iPhones. The company argues that if it is forced to accept third-party downloading, more malicious apps will reach users, users will have less information about the apps they download, and some protections against third-party access to iPhone's own hardware will have to be removed, undermining core security features iPhone.
Apple also emphasized its previous argumentthat users who do not want to install third-party applications will simply be forced to do so because of developers who will remove their applications from the App Store.
Source: apple (PDF, 1.3 MB)
Illustrations: apple
</ p>