Apple has rolled out iOS 17.4, the latest update for iPhone users. However, this release comes with a twist – it includes features that Apple initially resisted implementing on the iPhone, sparking controversy even before its launch.
The timing of iOS 17.4’s release aligns with the deadline set by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a comprehensive regulation aimed at imposing new regulations on major tech companies like Apple.
One of the significant changes for iPhone users under the DMA is the allowance for developers to offer their own app stores, enabling users to download software outside of the traditional App Store ecosystem. This means that companies like Google could introduce their app stores with their own content guidelines and restrictions, albeit while still adhering to Apple’s fee structure and certain app guidelines.
Furthermore, the update introduces alternative payment options for the first time, allowing developers to process payments independently of Apple, albeit while still incurring fees to the tech giant.
Apple has raised concerns that these changes could compromise the security of users’ devices, as they may download apps or make payments that fall outside of Apple’s security protocols. While Apple has complied with the DMA’s requirements, it has voiced opposition to the mandated changes for several years.
It’s important to note that these features are limited to users within the European Union. If users outside the EU utilize these features while in Europe and subsequently relocate for an extended period, they will lose access to these functionalities.
In addition to these EU-specific changes, iOS 17.4 brings a global policy shift: Apple now permits streaming gaming apps, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, which were previously banned from the App Store. This update also introduces new emojis, including a lime, and podcast transcripts. Additionally, iOS 17.4 introduces PQ3, Apple’s latest security tools designed to safeguard messages against potential threats posed by quantum computing.
