Earlier quoted context omitted.
> You need to think about this from a security perspective An application firewall is a SECURITY software. Crippling it is stupid. And that is exactly why people are very pissed at Apple for doing so. > Apple did not “deliberately cripple” the firewall. Yes, they did - they crippled all APPLICATION firewalls. An application firewall controls what apps can access the internet. By deliberately creating a new API with a…
> There is no illusion - if you don't use iCloud, Maps, App Store etc., they don't need to unnecessarily connect to the internet and waste our bandwidth, or worse access and transfer our personal data Which is exactly what happens now. You’re spending a lot effort protecting against an imaginary problem rather than the kinds of attacks which actually cause problems. If this terrifies you so much, add some ipfw rules…
No, it doesn't because I use an application firewall that BLOCKS them (I haven't upgraded to the crippled macOS). Moreover these are not "core" services and the OS functions fine even if they are blocked.
> If this terrifies you so much, add some ipfw rules and move on.
Why should I when the application firewalls I use are more user-friendly and require less effort? And why should Apple get to dictate what software I use or how I use it? (You may be fine with that and may have given in, some of us won't and we will be vocal about it).
> block it at the firewall so you don’t have to rely on Apple
No, Apple won't make me jump through hoops - the better plan is to DUMP apple if they refuse to value their customers needs. There are better alternate available.