Cydia Files Appeal in Higher Court in Legal Battle Against Apple

Cydia parent company SaurikIT, LLC has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit after U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers dismissed the company's antitrust lawsuit against Apple last month, according to court documents. SaurikIT had voluntarily asked for the case to be dismissed so the appeal process could begin at the higher court.

cydia vs apple feature
SaurikIT sued Apple in late 2020, alleging that the company has an illegal monopoly over iOS app distribution given that the App Store is the only authorized marketplace where users can download apps on the iPhone and iPad. The complaint also alleged that Apple has "consistently tried to snuff out alternative app stores," including Cydia.

Cydia launched in early 2008, months before Apple's own App Store. The app allows users who "jailbreak" their iPhone or iPad to install apps outside of the App Store, as well as themes and tweaks that customize the look and functionality of iOS. For example, long before Apple introduced the Control Center on the iPhone, there was a tweak available on Cydia called SBSettings that offered similar functionality.

The lawsuit alleged that Cydia was the "the App Store before the App Store" and the "first comprehensive solution" for expanding the iPhone's capabilities, although it's worth noting that another unofficial App Store known as Installer launched prior to Cydia.

SaurikIT is owned by Jay Freeman, who is one of several developers and companies who have sued Apple for alleged anticompetitive behavior in relation to the App Store over the past few years, with others including Fortnite creator Epic Games, streaming music service Spotify, FlickType keyboard app creator Kosta Eleftheriou, and more.

Apple has repeatedly denied that the App Store is a monopoly given that it faces competition from the Google Play store on Android devices. Apple has also repeatedly touted the privacy and security benefits of the App Store, arguing that third-party app stores on the iPhone could expose users to fraud, malware, and other risks.

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Top Rated Comments

dynamojoe Avatar
36 months ago
I don't want sideloading because it will eventually be required by most developers. You can't say "just don't sideload" because soon enough apps even from top developers will be unavailable in the App Store. Once sideloading becomes an option on iOS, it will become a necessity. You'll end up having the Microsoft Store, the Adobe Store, Facebook Store, Epic (remember them?) Store, Zynga, King, Google, etc., all with their own licensing agreements, billing, return policies, storage use, bandwidth use, etc.

When something goes wrong, developers of sideloaded apps will point fingers at each other, Apple, and the user, and they will never accept responsibility. The user will be left with no recourse.

I trust Apple far more than random developer #329487 when it comes to security and privacy.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unregistered 4U Avatar
36 months ago
McDonald’s has an illegal monopoly over the McRib! I should be able to get a McRib anywhere at any time of the year and not just when the overlords at McDonald’s decides to bless us with one.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
36 months ago

I’m not sure if this lawsuit has any merit, but neither does Apple when they make up excuses to block sideloading.
Excuses? Really?

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/06/app-store-stopped-nearly-one-point-five-billion-in-fraudulent-transactions-in-2021/
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
omihek Avatar
36 months ago

McDonald’s has an illegal monopoly over the McRib! I should be able to get a McRib anywhere at any time of the year and not just when the overlords at McDonald’s decides to bless us with one.
And why can't I get my Whopper at McDonald's?! There's no Burger King near me, but I want a Whopper. McDonald's is stifling competition by not letting Burger King offer the Whopper at McDonald's.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
diddl14 Avatar
36 months ago
Pretty sure if Apple added a popup on iOS asking "Would you like to enable side loading?", 99.999% of users would click no. (as none would understand the question nor care)
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Remy149 Avatar
36 months ago

? This is like a telephone monopoly (Bell System) saying they don't have a monopoly since they face stiff competition from tin can and string manufacturers
Except consumers have multiple over manufacturers to buy phones from.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)