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Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

techcrunch.com

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Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#121

Post by madeofpalk »

ggm wrote: post #107
madeofpalk wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

'Nobody' in the EU uses iMessage, even on iPhones. Everyone here already uses Whatsapp. This demonstrates a lack of a monopoly and how competition can flourish. Honestly - and EU-regulation that Apple faces over iMessage would just be collateral damage from EU targeting Whatsapp.

These assertions need those quotes around 'nobody' because I work with a bunch of apple device owners across Europe and they certainly do use Apple messages. At scale yes, signal, telegram and whatsapp are perhaps more significant than the apple ecology and the ratio of android to apple outside the USA and canada probably shows why.

Yes, I'm sure that there is at least one person who uses iMessage in all of Europe.

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#122

Post by freedomben »

StressedDev wrote: post #95
Banditoz wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is spam a good reason for Apple to keep their iMessage garden exclusive? SMS is also widely used for spam.

[flagged]

Beeper doesn't give you iMessage. It just makes you appear as a "blue bubble" to people who are on iMessage.

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#123

Post by School-Cotton »

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #84
trynumber9 wrote: post #47

The EU should, like they did years ago with PC operating systems, mandate a default browser selection screen. And a default messenger selection screen. And a default app store selection screen. Not that we'd get it in the US but it would help reduce Apple/Google market capture efforts.

How many people are still using safari on Mac? Everyone I know uses chrome, but maybe that’s just in the states?

I know a few people who use safari on Mac. Either because they just don’t care enough to install another browser, or because they prefer the more “native Mac” look and feel.

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#124

Post by trynumber9 »

madeofpalk wrote: post #62
trynumber9 wrote: post #47

The EU should, like they did years ago with PC operating systems, mandate a default browser selection screen. And a default messenger selection screen. And a default app store selection screen. Not that we'd get it in the US but it would help reduce Apple/Google market capture efforts.

'Nobody' in the EU uses iMessage, even on iPhones. Everyone here already uses Whatsapp. This demonstrates a lack of a monopoly and how competition can flourish. Honestly - and EU-regulation that Apple faces over iMessage would just be collateral damage from EU targeting Whatsapp.

I'm aware almost no one uses iMessage in Europe. Most would choose WhatsApp in Europe. And if we had the choice most would choose iMessage in the US.

But it gives normal users a choice if they want it. Maybe it would get some to think oh maybe I should try Signal. That's how some people found out about Firefox - unimaginable I know.

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#125

Post by diligiant »

CivBase wrote: post #113
Grustaf wrote: post #81

> "if Apple truly cares about the privacy and security of their own iPhone users, why would they stop a service that enables their own users to now send encrypted messages to Android users, rather than using unsecure SMS?" - Eric Migicovsky 1. If Apple sees this as a gap, it is very obvious that they would address that themselves, rather than by allowing a hack to exploit loopholes in their architecture 2. Since Appl…

> 2. Since Apple has no control over the Beeper mini client, they would not consider it safe, it could easily be spying on users without their knowledge. Since I have no control over iMessage, I would not consider it safe. It could easily be spying on me without my knowledge.

The basic assumption here is trusting Apple, provided that numerous security researchers have access to the platform. If you don't trust Apple, don't buy their products.

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#126

Post by judge2020 »

CivBase wrote: post #113
Grustaf wrote: post #81

> "if Apple truly cares about the privacy and security of their own iPhone users, why would they stop a service that enables their own users to now send encrypted messages to Android users, rather than using unsecure SMS?" - Eric Migicovsky 1. If Apple sees this as a gap, it is very obvious that they would address that themselves, rather than by allowing a hack to exploit loopholes in their architecture 2. Since Appl…

> 2. Since Apple has no control over the Beeper mini client, they would not consider it safe, it could easily be spying on users without their knowledge. Since I have no control over iMessage, I would not consider it safe. It could easily be spying on me without my knowledge.

"they would not consider it safe" is from Apple's perspective, which is the only thing that matters when Apple is the steward of legally and technically enforcing who can use their APIs.

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#127

Post by tiahura »

dmillar wrote: post #65

As usual, Gruber was right on the money. Via Threads yesterday: "My prediction is that Apple will make changes—fixing bugs and/or closing loopholes—that break Beeper Mini. It’s untenable that there’s unsanctioned client software for a messaging platform for which privacy and security are a primary feature. It’s a very nice app, remarkably clever, and for now works like a charm, but if Apple wanted an iMessage client…

Not sure that's worth much congratulation. Is there anyone that didn't think the exact same thing as soon as they saw the story?

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#128

Post by schrodinger »

not2b wrote: post #74
gafage wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>And a default messenger selection screen. What for? Everybody in the EU already uses whatsapp. That shows how unnecessary these selection screens are.

That's probably why Apple will get away with keeping iMessage closed (unless the US government pushes them), probably not enough European use to count as a gatekeeper.

You say that like it's a bad thing ("get away"). iMessage has nowhere near a majority and Apple doesn't put in any restrictions against alternative messaging software (…not that they're perfect, and haven't in other areas…).

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#129

Post by zoklet-enjoyer »

pdntspa wrote: post #82
madeofpalk wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

'Nobody' in the EU uses iMessage, even on iPhones. Everyone here already uses Whatsapp. This demonstrates a lack of a monopoly and how competition can flourish. Honestly - and EU-regulation that Apple faces over iMessage would just be collateral damage from EU targeting Whatsapp.

God I really wish we Americans would get on whatsapp

I've been using Signal since it was Text Secure and Red Phone. I've got most of my friend group switched over to it

Re: Apple cuts off Beeper Mini's access

#130

Post by madeofpalk »

z7 wrote: post #114

This is a wake-up call. It's high time we demand open-source messaging standards across all platforms. Imagine a world where communication isn't dictated by corporate interests but by user needs and innovation.

There actually a bunch of competition for messaging apps, which put forward user needs and drives innovation though.
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