Apple and Google are now being forced to honor the latest changes to the Antitrust Bill, and this time, it focuses on Third-Party Apps and Sideloading within their respective platforms.
The tech companies would need to comply, or they would face the wrath of another Antitrust Lawsuit or case brought against them by the legislators or lawmakers. And its mandate is for everyone, especially as it aims to widen the scope of a device to different apps, even outside the company's respective stores.
The Antitrust Law initially targets anti-competitive behavior from these tech companies, where Google and its products have had several run-ins with the law. It is not a different story from the likes of Apple and is not limited to the United States.
Apple, Google Forced to Allow Third-Party Apps, Sideloading
Apple and Google are now being forced to a new revision to the Antitrust Bill, and it is because of U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, Marsha Blackburn, and Amy Klobuchar. According to Blumenthal's Office, the latest addition to the Antitrust Bill would bring the opportunities for Third-Party Apps and Sideloading software to be allowed on devices.
This means that those banned from the application stores or who have not yet been authorized to enter the stores would have the chance to be accessed in their respective devices. Refusing so would be a violation of the Antitrust Bill, and would be subject to a lawsuit and its repercussions.
Not only that, Apple would have a harder time here as they are required to present "readily accessible" third-party sources or apps for their users. IOS is known for its limited sources to download apps in.
For Google, that is easy, as the open-source Android is known for several APK sources present on the web.
Open App Market Act
The Open App Market Act, or what the new addition to the Antitrust is called, aims to help diversify and break the exclusivity of these smartphone platforms over applications.
Blumenthal said that it aims to help small businesses and other creators to get a platform, especially if they were not initially allowed on iOS or Android. The Open App Market Act would open a lot of doors to users, creators, and apps alike.
It would also help some to maximize the use of their smartphones, but it is not that much of an appeal to Apple or Google.
Third-Party Apps and its Dangers
Third-Party Apps have a lot of dangers that come with them, aside from their benefits. One is that users might get a trojan virus like the FlyTrap malware that aims to steal data off users. Allowing third-party apps and sideloading would mean that it would not be regulated by Apple or Google, and it might mean a security compromise.
Not only that, a lot of other possibilities in terms of infecting a device or stealing its data would be linked to Sideloading applications, that would remain unverified, but are forced to be run by Apple or Google.
Related Article: FlyTrap Malware Threatens Facebook Hacks via Android Devices, Here's How to Avoid It
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Isaiah Richard
