For example, it’s possible to modify the Mach-O link loader on a compiled app like DoorDash to use a fake Apple Pay API that steals credit card numbers. But it’s very difficult to get that scammy app installed on an unsuspecting victim’s device. And it’s impossible to upload to the App Store. Third party App Store? No problem.
More unsubstantiated claims
> Third party App Store? No problem.
Nonsense.
Giving people choice does not mean opening the floodgates to malware. You can disable sideloading apps by default, but also enable them upon explicit user request. You can call it a "I'm a responsible adult" button.
You don't need walled gardens for this. A sensible safe default with a pathway to disabling it is sufficient.
You can't restrict choice for everyone just because a couple of tech-illiterate folks might make bad choices. It's silly and soon also illegal.
And despite repeated claims of the loud and ignorant, you can side load to an iPhone without jail break. it does require a mere $100 a year and handful of terminal commands, but possible if you’re determined.
I’m willing to belabor your last point: the floodgates can open if all the restrictions are relaxed. One very dangerous system call[0] stands between Webkit and your choice of any browser engine. It’s not clear to me on a technical level if allowing that freedom to exploit by one app prevents any app from exploiting.
[0] https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Sy...
Now provide the statistics for it.
You have not demonstrated that this is a serious and widespread problem. People have been sideloading for years without getting overrun with malware.
I use both platforms daily. I’ve been working on smartphones since they’ve existed. I live and breathe them. Android has some great upsides, but security is definitely not one of them. Six years ago at a previous employer we had cardboard boxes full of completely bricked android phones from the Triada Trojan.[0] I have never seen anything like that on an iPhone. I can’t even recall witnessing a bricked iPhone (sans hw failure), but I won’t deny the possibility.
[0]https://www.google.com/amp/s/usa.kaspersky.com/blog/triada-t...
Just a cursory search shows things haven’t improved much since:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32154294
Apple even have the copy for it signed off by Steve Jobs.
“Are you sure you want to open the application ‘Monkey Ball’ from the developer ‘Sega’?”
https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/21043913-2008-may-...
https://www.theverge.com/c/22611236/epic-v-apple-emails-proj...