Apple’s Tim Cook tells Epic Games trial that App Store would be ‘toxic’ mess without control
- The iPhone maker’s CEO defended the company’s tight grip on its online marketplace in a high-stakes case brought by the developer of Fortnite
- Epic is seeking to force the tech giant to open up its app store to third parties seeking to circumvent Apple’s procedures and commissions of up to 30 per cent
Apple’s online marketplace would become a “toxic” mess if the iPhone maker were forced to allow third-party apps without reviewing them, chief executive Tim Cook said in testimony at a high-stakes trial challenging the company’s tight control of its platform.
Cook, the last scheduled witness in the case brought by Fortnite maker Epic Games, delivered a strong defence of Apple’s procedures for reviewing and approving all the apps it offers for iPhone and iPad users.
“We could no longer make the promise … of privacy, safety and security,” Cook said under questioning from Apple lawyer Veronica Moye in federal court in California.
Cook said Apple’s review process helps keep out malicious software and other problematic apps, helping create a safe place for consumers.
Without this review, the online marketplace “would become a toxic kind of mess”, he said.
