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Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

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Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#291
post #214

Let’s say you’re using a Google API like Maps, and you violate terms by snapshotting sections of their maps and storing them on your severs so you can serve static maps without making API calls. They’d shut down your API access immediately Google and Facebook both knew the terms. They both knew that the Enterprise Distribution Program was for internal use only. They still put ads out in the wild to recruit regular co…

Because lots of people still think that if you own a piece of hardware, you should be able to run whatever code you want on it.

Of course you should. It's my device, I should be able to do what I want with it. The default should be protected but root should be available.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#292
post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree with your argument as a whole. My device is little more to me than something to run a web browser. I despise native apps. Facebook and Googles apps can - and should IMO - be run from a browser without crossing over into my personal contacts and photos. Apple has zero authority over who I contact or what content I access over the web. With any luck, this drives development back towards the web. I haven't ha…

> I despise native apps. Why?

Drains batteries. Consumes storage space. Requests unnecessary access to my personal files and contacts. Difficult to shut down. Push notifications. I want NONE of this.

The last straw for me was when Facebook messenger pocket dialed a "friend" I hadn't talked to in 7 years. Not only was it something I had no use for, it was outright invasive.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#293
post #214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because lots of people still think that if you own a piece of hardware, you should be able to run whatever code you want on it.

You are still able to sideload apps, just not at an enterprise level.

You need a mac with Xcode to sideload apps for iOS (unless you want to deal with jailbreaking)

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#294
post #214

Let’s say you’re using a Google API like Maps, and you violate terms by snapshotting sections of their maps and storing them on your severs so you can serve static maps without making API calls. They’d shut down your API access immediately Google and Facebook both knew the terms. They both knew that the Enterprise Distribution Program was for internal use only. They still put ads out in the wild to recruit regular co…

Because lots of people still think that if you own a piece of hardware, you should be able to run whatever code you want on it.

If you want to sell your privacy, buy an Android I guess.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#295

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why should they not have the right to enforce the terms of their own service ? They own it, the operate it. It's theirs to do with as they wish. Your comment might make sense of Apple were some sort of government entity, but it isn't; it was completely Facebook and Google's decision to abide by Apple's terms and conditions, something that will have been pored over by legal team upon legal team. This is not something…

The difference is that Apple are controlling what software individuals can run on their own phones that they paid good money for. The problem isn't that Apple are allowed to throw Google out of the enterprise program; the problem is that Apple users aren't allowed to install Google's apps without Apple's permission. It's fair enough to say that Google can't complain because they knew the terms of the enterprise agree…

> The difference is that Apple are controlling what software individuals can run on their own phones that they paid good money for.

Maybe, except that the enterprise app distribution system is a service provided by Apple. It has associated terms and conditions.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I don't think it's the argument to be making right now; if the topic were jailbreaking, sure. As it is, it's about abusing a service. The enterprise app distribution system is not sideloading in the same sense as it is on Android; it is a service for a specific purpose.

> But I'm not sure it's fair to say that Apple phone purchasers are clearly told when they buy a phone that Apple can disable their employer's internal apps

For the individual employees, no, they probably don't know this. However, they have no real need to know; this is an implementation detail on the employer's end.

The employers 100% know about this, or else they wouldn't agree to the terms and conditions of the enterprise app distribution system. Legal teams will have pored over this. Nobody is ignorant of the implications of their actions; it just happened to be that two high-profile companies made the mistake of thinking they were immune to punishment.

But no, any company involved in the enterprise app distribution system knows 100% what getting that certificate revoked means. Especially a tech company!

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#296

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it really clear? Are the people they were paying technically Google and Facebook employees / contractors?

Can you pay 13 year olds in $20 gift cards and call them a contractor?

Did they get w2s and 1099s? Did FB did employment authorization verification? Did fb verify that the contracts were in fact signed by authorized guardians? A minor signing a contract has no meaning - so no “employment” contract would be valid.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#297

Extremely happy with my decision to get an iPhone. Events like these are what is going to keep me as a customer moving forward, too. I unplugged[0] from Google Last year - went DDG for search, went to iOS, dropped gmail for fastmail, etc. As time goes on I’m continually reaffirmed that I made the right decisions. [0] I still use some Google services, like YouTube, frequently, some of my mail still goes through Gmail,…

Same. I switched recently after an increasing distaste for how Google makes money and have been fairly blown away by how much better privacy is on iOS. Nearly every app that has asked for permissions has explained exactly what they're used for. I don't know if that's required, but it certainly seems prevalent. Then I can do things like only give the app permission to location data when I'm actively using it. These settings aren't buried - they are in your face when the permissions are requested.

Some parts of the walled garden are annoying - having to go to the browser to buy Kindle books for example - but I think the tradeoffs of the Apple ecosystem are more than worth the benefits.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#298
post #159

There are over 100,000 Google and Facebook employees, just a small percentage of them with good old fashion loyalty to their companies could explain the amount offended here.

Won’t speak for others but I’m one FB employee and also an iOS user. I’m not offended by Apple’s move.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#299

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's right. That's why you shouldn't buy iOS devices. If you do, you agree to Apple's terms. (also, what Apple allows you to run on your own device is actually a different story, not related to this news)

According to the story, Apple have stopped Google employees running Google's "Gbus app for transportation". So yes, it's about what Apple allows people to run on their own devices.

Google can make that app public.

Or stop abusing the terms of the enterprise certificates.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#300
„Google is correct, there does not appear to be any Root Certificate install for their app. pretty substantial difference. I also notice a phrase completely absent from Facebook’s replies: ‚We apologize‘“

https://twitter.com/chronic/status/1090761957194502150?s=21

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