European regulators have made a massive mistake by requiring Apple and others to open their ecosystems to third-party app stores. Mobile devices need to be considered an essential safety device in a much different category than a personal computer. They help people find their way home, manage their health, and pay for goods and services all potentially while away from home.

Plain and simple, the devices MUST work. No exceptions. Third-party app stores present too much risk, and if I were in the European market, I would not be using these options. Regulators could have taken a much different approach to allow more categories of apps on mobile devices while still protecting users who most likely do not have the technical sophistication to understand the risks. This will be an interesting experiment to watch from the other side of the pond.

Torrenting Apps Now Available for iPhone Users in the EU – MacRumors