Apple CEO Tim Cook Apprehensive of Japan App Store Regulation

Tim Cook met with Japan’s PM over concerns of the country’s possible app store regulations.

The Apple CEO met with the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Dec. 15 to discuss the country’s potential regulation of app stores.

According to a report by Nikkei, Cook was looking to reach an agreement that Kishida would consider the ramifications such regulation would have on Apple users if they are forced to use third-party app stores in Japan.

Cook and Kishida also discussed how Apple’s $100 billion investment in Japan’s supply chain over the last five years speaks to the company’s commitment to the country, according to the report.

The two also discussed the potential for Apple to be involved in the creation of digital My Number government identification cards on iPhones.

According to Nikkei, Cook expressed that he planned to work on the My Number IDs, but also had strong reservations over user security if there is not strong regulation for Japanese iPhone users.

Representatives at Apple did not immediately respond to PYMNTS’ emailed request for comment.

Apple has opposed government regulation of app distribution for a long time, as the company has said previously that third-party apps delivered from outside its App Store could put users’ privacy at risk.

The company recently has been facing the same struggles with third-party app stores accessing its devices in Europe, with the announcement that Apple will allow third-party stores starting in 2024.

This came as a part of Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to boost the competitiveness of third-party app developers and allow greater choice to consumers.

User security also continues to be a priority for Apple, with the company recently (Dec. 7) adding three new cybersecurity tools to help users protect their data in the cloud.

“We constantly identify and mitigate emerging threats to their personal data on device and in the cloud,” Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi said at the time these tools were released. “Our security teams work tirelessly to keep users’ data safe, and with iMessage Contact Key Verification, Security Keys and Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, users will have three powerful new tools to further protect their most sensitive data and communications.”

All three cybersecurity features will be available for Apple users in early 2023.