Tim Cook says Android has 47 times more malware than iOS

Apple says there is 47 times more malware in circulation on Android than on iOS. According to the Californian giant, the security of the iPhone is essentially ensured by the assumed monopoly of the App Store, which is the only way to install applications on iOS.

As part of the VivaTech show in Paris, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, gave an interview to the media Brut. During this interview, the leader once again defended the operating model of iOS, the operating system built into iPhone.

Unlike Android, iOS does not allow downloading and installing apps through alternative stores or APKs. To find an application, iPhone users must imperatively turn to the App Store, Apple’s store.

Also read: Android is years behind iOS in the security field

Tim Cook defends the iPhone App Store monopoly

According to Tim Cook, this restricted framework is essential for the security of Apple smartphones. “I mean, you look at malware as an example, and Android has 47 times more malware than iOS” Tim Cook says, presumably citing a report produced by Nokia in 2019. The study claimed that theGoogle OS is responsible for 47% of malware infections detected against less than 1% for iPhone. In 2020, the infection rate on Android fell to 26.6%. On the other hand, iOS rose to 1.7%.

“We designed iOS so that there is only one App Store and all apps are reviewed before entering the store. This prevents a lot of this malware from entering the ecosystem ” continues Tim Cook. The framework firmly defends the way iOS works in the face to the monopoly accusations leveled against the App Store. Via the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Commission aims to force the giants of technology to open up more to competition.

“Customers continually tell us how much importance they attach to this (Editor’s note: safety). We will therefore defend the user in the discussions and we will see where it goes. I’m optimistic, I think most people who care about security know it’s a major risk ” says the head of Apple. Despite the pressures undergone, in Europe or in the United States, the Cupertino giant does not intend to change its policy.