EU Provisionally Agrees on Law That Would Force Apple to Allow Alternative App Stores, Sideloading, and iMessage Interoperability

[dk001]

Well iMessage already supports SMS and MMS, what other standard do you want then?

Something that supports encryption perhaps?

 

[jumpcutking]

Duopoly isn't a true competition - just ask US and their political system.

Hey, I’ll invent the 3rd company!

Accepting principle investors… ?

 

[vipergts2207]

Which, imo, results in a race to the bottom. Scamware, malware, copycat apps, lower prices due to more competition of lower quality results in less revenue for the dev and the like.

Sorry, but this reads like:

1: Force interoperability
2: Scamware and malware
3: ????
4: Less choice

Your argument isn't even consistent though. (And honestly there should be a step 1.5 with more "????")

the death of innovation resulting in less choice overall

lower prices due to more competition of lower quality results in less revenue for the dev and the like.

So is step 4 supposed to be less choice or more? Because now you seem confused about what your argument even is. You also haven't explained how a basic level of interoperability disincentivizes developers from creating additional innovative features beyond what is supported at the basic level. Apple today interoperates with some messaging platforms through basic SMS/MMS, but yet still saw fit to put resources into the Messages app as it exists today. You're simply claiming an outcome with zero evidence or support for how you get there. Meanwhile, logic and actual evidence points entirely in the opposite direction.

 

[zakarhino]

I need to read the legislation documents properly but I bet the "interoperability of messaging platforms" part is a smokescreen for something the EU (and US) have been wanting for a very long time: official means of bypassing E2E encryption for spying purposes. They will sneak that one into the finalized legislation: "just as the consumer is guaranteed interoperability; we, as the government, are guaranteed a method of message interception"

If, on the other hand, the legislation simply requires all these apps support a form of RCS with encryption that cannot be MITM'd then I can't see why we shouldn't support it. Remember, the legislation claims to require a level of interoperability on the basic level only, this could be interpreted as allowing platforms to develop their own protocols and features (like iPhone to iPhone messaging with iMessage as usual) but adding an additional standard protocol on top (RCS) for other scenarions (like iPhone to Signal on Android communication). This wouldn't be much different from how the Messages app currently works on iPhone (keep in mind other messaging apps don't work like this because they require the same app to communicate).

 

[tyranne201]

Some of the stuff is good, but many are poisoning it. Allow sideloading of apps will make the iOS vulnerable like Android. Apple could stop selling its products on EU or watch its OS get flooded with vulnerabilities and having to work to get it fixed. This craziness will get approved anyway, so. This law is very much like European Union trying to be innovative and modern, but in fact its very flawed and needs many changes.

 

[zakarhino]

Well iMessage already supports SMS and MMS, what other standard do you want then?

Exactly, but keep in mind other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal *don't* support standards like the Messages app on iPhone does. If Messages and other similar messaging apps are required to support RCS on top of their own proprietary protocols then I don't see the problem.

 

[shplock]

In principle, I support governance that restricts the power of big business. But who is going to restrict the power of the EU? This just sounds way too heavy handed to me. Frightening actually.

But can I still say yes please to ‘iMessage interoperability’? ? Would be nice to see the big players work together on this.

This is a bad idea as it essentially means that apps such as signal will not be secure. Many people such as journalists use signal etc for secure platforms in dangerous places. If signal has to work with 1000+ messaging apps such as WhatsApp then it will not be secure.
Some apps do not have good track records with security, so this just makes a mess out of something that doe snot need to be fiddled with.
Politicians, even the EU, have a lousy track record with understanding technology so should leave well alone.

 

[shplock]

EU is actually democratic - so both voters and national governments ultimately control it.


Oh yes, they will totally quit one of their biggest markets.


Which is the same as quitting - because no one in their right mind will buy such a crippled iDevice.

Apple may have no choice as the EU are messing this up really bad!

 

[shplock]

About. Damn. Time. “Get up stand up, Stand up for your rights.” ?

Heck no, this is the worst thing that could happen. Politicians have an awful track record when it comes to technology so they should leave alone.

 

[I7guy]

Sorry, but this reads like:

1: Force interoperability
2: Scamware and malware
3: ????
4: Less choice

Your argument isn't even consistent though. (And honestly there should be a step 1.5 with more "????")



So is step 4 supposed to be less choice or more? Because now you seem confused about what your argument even is. You also haven't explained how a basic level of interoperability disincentivizes developers from creating additional innovative features beyond what is supported at the basic level. Apple today interoperates with some messaging platforms through basic SMS/MMS, but yet still saw fit to put resources into the Messages app as it exists today. You're simply claiming an outcome with zero evidence or support for how you get there. Meanwhile, logic and actual evidence points entirely in the opposite direction.

I believe the entirety of this legislation will have a chilling effect on innovation. The ios ecosystem will be equivalent to android. There won't be any more unique proprietary products. It's too bad. It's going to be a negative effect for consumers, devs and shareholders.

 

[shplock]

I used to be against all of this, but ultimately changed my mind after countless examples of Apple’s censorship and frequent technical issues. Apple’s chokehold on NFC in iPhones is also a major disadvantage for their users.

Yes, it might lead to some malware - but it won’t be Apple’s responsibility anymore. If anything, they can use it as an extra advantage in their marketing - “Apple iCloud+ with extra safe App Store”.

except that this will lead to 50,000+ app stores and millions and millions of malware not to mention security compromised due to 1,000,000 criminals using the open access to the NFC chip to steal your card details etc.
That will then lead to lawsuits against apple (because why not) and not to mention not everyone is a hardcore techno expert.
This is the worst most dumb idea to come out the Eu since deciding their first leader (before it became the EU) should be member of Adolf's inner circle!

 

[shplock]

Nice EU, don’t let companies run roughshod over the people.

That is exactly what the EU are doing here, this is the dumbest thing ever!

 

[shplock]

❤️ it!
Told ya multiple times in here ?, accept the reality, Steve Jobs is not here anymore to distort it.

This will make things worse and not better, told you a million times....Vestager is not here to hold people's hands and make things better.
She is not here to help, the opposite in fact.
So congratulations on failing to understand the basic implications.

 

[vipergts2207]

I believe the entirety of this legislation will have a chilling effect on innovation. The ios ecosystem will be equivalent to android. There won't be any more unique proprietary products. It's too bad. It's going to be a negative effect for consumers, devs and shareholders.

You might believe in fairy dust and unicorn farts, but that has no bearing on reality.

 

[Bonte]

I don't see a single area where the proposed legislation actually threatens anyone privacy. Stop drinking the apple juice.

Alternative app stores that Apple has no control over, is not enough? It can't get worse than this you know.

 

[shplock]

And a new lawsuit would appear, but no worry, the bipartisan bill is on the way in the U.S., too.

Apple will have to open up, there is no way around it, that’s the new old world where you can freely install whatever from wherever you want.

And the even newer world where YOU constantly get hacked and have all your money stolen and I hope that comforts you as the EU politicians laugh at you and then tell you to **** off when you complain.

 

[shplock]

Enjoy your roaming charges when you go to Magaluf this summer

Not if you are on O2! Also enjoy your Nazi utopia. EU first present was a Nazi I am afraid (before it was called the eU).

 

[shplock]

❤️

It is Apples fault. Too much greed in the eyes of Tim. Fighting competition with unfair methods playing platform owner, gatekeeper and competitor at the same time. Limiting functionality for competitors, MFI just to name a few.

I don't know if I would install a 3rd party AppStore. BUT - if the 3rd party AppStore finally offers an App that lets me connect the heart rate monitor of my Watch with my bicycle computer. BAM - installed (and this is just ONE example).

Apple fought competitors like Spotify, Netflix, Prime for such a long time. You have to pay Apple Tax if you'd buy an ebook using Amazon Prime. Without Apple Tax there is only Apple Books. BUT you cannot read Apple Books on any other platform.


History repeats, like Steve Jobs already told Apple:

What ruined Apple was not growth … They got very greedy … Instead of following the original trajectory of the original vision, which was to make the thing an appliance and get this out there to as many people as possible … they went for profits. They made outlandish profits for about four years. What this cost them was their future. What they should have been doing is making rational profits and going for market share.”

This is the dumbest thing the EU could do. Apple may not be perfect and Tim Cook is not brilliant but this is crackers !
The EU need to stop making problems !

 

[shplock]

That founds a business later, and get CVs begging for a job from the ones that don’t liked him? Yeah could be…

Then turns out that the business is actually a front for the mafia!

 

[I7guy]

You might believe in fairy dust and unicorn farts, but that has no bearing on reality.

And the reality is what? You may be believing in fairy dust and unicorn farts as well.

 

[shplock]

Unless you’re a shareholder, I don’t get why you should be mad about this, even saying “I’m glad the UK left the EU”. No one is going to be forced to sideload apps or to use a different App Store, as far as I understand.

It weakens the security and privacy of the iphone so that even if you do not sudelaod etc you STILL get hacked and have all your privacy destroyed.
The EU has no clue! Politicians are lousy and rubbish at understanding tech so they should let experts help create legislation or tech and they should leave well alone.

 

[shplock]

I think you might want to check their recent policy changes.

EU IS the enemy, if you look at it correctly!

 

[shplock]

Overall, I support this. Personally, I doubt I’m gonna use any alternative App Store, not will the average user, but it should be allowed to be options.

No it should not be allowed. Dumb dumb dumb!

 

[shplock]

This is awesome!

NO!

 

[vipergts2207]

And the reality is what? You may be believing in fairy dust and unicorn farts as well.

I’ve provided paragraphs of reasoning as well as evidence involving existing paradigms. You’ve provided nothing more than “well I think X will happen and you’ll just have to believe me.” Sorry, but you’ll have to put in a bit more effort if you want to convince folks of your fairy dust and unicorn farts.