Apple CEO: "US and EU Antitrust Laws Will Harm iPhone Users' Security"

Apple CEO Tim Cook
Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the United States and the European Union (EU) Parliament are pushing to introduce antitrust laws to curb the market dominance of global IT companies, Apple CEO Tim Cook argued that this legislation could unintentionally weaken the security of iPhone users.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and others on the 12th (local time), Cook made these remarks during a speech at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) 'Global Privacy Summit' held in Washington, DC. He pointed out the pressure from the US and EU Parliaments on Apple to prohibit the in-app payment method, which requires users to download apps only through Apple’s own App Store payment system and pay a 30% commission on payment amounts.

The bill being promoted by the US Congress includes provisions to weaken Apple’s control over the app ecosystem and promote competition by allowing users to download apps from the internet without going through Apple’s App Store. The EU recently reached a provisional agreement to introduce the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which includes a clause banning mandatory in-app payments. In South Korea, controversy over banning in-app payments continues.

Cook said, "Removing safer options will leave users with fewer choices," adding, "When companies decide to leave Apple’s App Store to exploit user data, it will put great pressure on those who use alternative app stores, which do not protect privacy and security."

He continued, "Apple believes in the value of competition," but warned, "If we are forced to allow unverified apps onto the iPhone, the unintended consequences will be serious." He added, "Seeing this, we feel a duty to step forward and ask policymakers to join us in moving toward shared goals without compromising privacy."

The WSJ reported that privacy protection is a frequent topic in Cook’s public remarks, and Apple has claimed that its closed App Store operation is a fundamental human right, using privacy and security as shields when attacked. On the other hand, smartphone app developers argue that Apple unfairly hinders competition under the pretext of privacy protection.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.