Apple’s Tim Cook Warns against App Store Regulations Breaching User Privacy

The CEO of Apple Inc., Tim Cook, has spoken out against the proposed legislation on the App Store in the U.S., stating that it could violate users’ privacy.

In the opening speech at the Global Privacy Summit in Washington on Tuesday, Cook said, “If we are forced to let unvetted apps onto iPhones, the unintended consequences will be profound.” He added, “Data-hungry companies would be able to avoid our privacy rules and once again track our users against their will.”

This comes as Apple finds itself under global surveillance for its App Store guidelines, with the EU set to roll out regulations that would require the company to allow the installation of apps from outside its app store platform. This will significantly limit Apple’s control over the App Store while also possibly hindering its prospects in obtaining commissions from app developers.

U.S. lawmakers have proposed two bills against Apple Inc.’s App Store and Alphabet Inc.’s Google Play Store that would likely become laws as part of the government’s attempt to exert more control and supervision over tech giants.

©Photo: NBC News