Apple Asks Developers to Put 'Sign In With Apple' Above Other Sign-in Options

[MacRumors]

At its WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple unveiled its new login feature that will allow users to sign into apps and websites using their Apple ID. As part of iOS 13, Apple will require all apps that use third-party sign-in options to include its Sign In With Apple button.

The feature has been largely welcomed as a more secure alternative to similar sign-in services offered by Facebook, Google, and Twitter, since it authenticates the user with Face ID or Touch ID, and doesn't send personal information to app and website developers.

However, one detail in Apple's updated Human Interface Guidelines is raising eyebrows – Apple is asking developers to position its Sign In with Apple button more prominently by putting it above all other rival sign-in options.

The guidelines are regarded as suggestions about how developers should build their apps, rather than mandatory requirements. Even so, many developers believe that following the guidelines gives their apps the best chance of passing Apple's approval process. Curiously, Apple is also asking developers to place its Sign In with Apple button above other options on websites, an area over which it wields no review power.

The suggestions come at a time when developers and rivals have claimed some of Apple's business practices, such as taking up to a 30 percent commission on apps sold through its App Store, are unfair and anticompetitive, and amount to operating the platform as a monopoly.

In the EU, antitrust regulators are looking into claims by Spotify that it is using the App Store to deliberately disadvantage other app developers. Meanwhile in the U.S., the Department of Justice was recently given the go ahead by the Federal Trade Commission to launch a probe into Apple's business practices, as part of a broader review of antitrust concerns in relation to large technology companies.

In an interview yesterday with CBSNews, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that scrutiny of Apple's business practices was "fair" and a good thing for large companies, but claimed the company is not a monopoly in any of the markets it operates in.

Article Link: Apple Asks Developers to Put 'Sign In With Apple' Above Other Sign-in Options

 

[BootsWalking]

I'm a big fan of 'Sign in with Apple" but making it mandatory for developers who offer existing third-party sign-in options and now requesting they put Apple's sign-in above those others is only inviting further antitrust scrutiny.

 

[nepalisherpa]

Apple could just say that "sign-in" list has to be in alphabetical order and they will be fine (like Sign in with Apple, Sign in with Google, Sign in with Facebook, etc.). This, to me, is just asking for trouble.

 

[richpjr]

"Suggestions" my rear-end! We had an app rejected for not following a "suggestion" in the Human Interface Guidelines before.

 

[spazzcat]

Most are going to use the Apple one no matter where it is located.

 

[routine_analyst]

Good grief. The big bully telling you what you can and can't do. Oh wait, that's okay, it's Apple.

 

[kycophpd]

I don’t find this surprising at all. Apple, a for profit company, ASKING developers to put it above others. If I was running the company, I would ask them to do it too. They haven’t made it mandatory.

 

[spazzcat]

I'm a big fan of 'Sign in with Apple" but making it mandatory for developers who offer existing third-party sign-in options and now requesting they put Apple's sign-in above those others is only inviting further antitrust scrutiny.

Once this rolls out, I will most like not use your app if you don't offer this as an option.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

This is appropriate.

 

[spazzcat]

Good grief. The big bully telling you what you can and can't do. Oh wait, that's okay, it's Apple.

Oh wait it is their platform...

 

[Shanghaichica]

Good.

 

[csurfr]

Once this rolls out, I will most like not use your app if you don't offer this as an option.

As easy as it is to implement the google and Facebook versions of this, there is no reason for a dev not to. Unless, of course, they like the idea of users’ data being spread all over the place.

 

[Sasparilla]

There's been alot of spilled latte's at the headquarters over at Facebook and Google today.

I love this idea - however with the government regulators getting pressure to do "stuff" (and the government being very affected by paid lobbyists from Google and Facebook) Apple should be very cautious about stuff like this order thing.

 

[BootsWalking]

Once this rolls out, I will most like not use your app if you don't offer this as an option.

Fair enough. I personally wouldn't use any unified login service. The risks from a security breach are too high and not worth the convenience - instead of one account being compromised, all your third-party logins would be compromised as well.

 

[69Mustang]

Most are going to use the Apple one no matter where it is located.

Doubt it. People tend to be creatures of habit. They continue to do what they've always done. If they sign in with their FB creds, they'll continue to sign in with their FB cred because they don't have to do anything different. It should be obvious the privacy argument isn't compelling with the majority of that crowd because, well FB.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Wait, so now we’re all going to sit around and complain about a suggestion.

These forums are hilarious.

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

Good. I’m not on google or Facebook because they are disgusting companies. I hope to see apples sign in everywhere I see Facebook. Good for Apple, a company that actually wants to put its products first HOW DARE THEY!! Not like any company in world does that right? God everyone are such babies these days. Grow up snowflake generation you’ll get over it.

 

[cocky jeremy]

Good. Who would want to use the others anyway?!

 

[felipey]

Apple could just say that "sign-in" list has to be in alphabetical order and they will be fine (like Sign in with Apple, Sign in with Google, Sign in with Facebook, etc.). This, to me, is just asking for trouble.

The letter "F" comes before "G"

 

[cerote]

Apple could just say that "sign-in" list has to be in alphabetical order and they will be fine (like Sign in with Apple, Sign in with Google, Sign in with Facebook, etc.). This, to me, is just asking for trouble.

Suddenly Google sign in becomes Alphabet's Google.

 

[klunernet]

If it is truly a request, and not a demand, it’s ok. For fairness they should request the order be random. That will avoid antitrust scrutiny.

Demanding is a bad thing, however pushing it in this case is in consumers benefit because it offers better privacy. Not demanding inclusion of this signin option would have caused app devs to ignore it because they likely benefit from the other options in some ways. (Facebook was already caught sharing far too much data with app devs through their signin option)

In the EU that will count. In the USA, probably less so. (If at all)

 

[dannyyankou]

I'm a big fan of 'Sign in with Apple" but making it mandatory for developers who offer existing third-party sign-in options and now requesting they put Apple's sign-in above those others is only inviting further antitrust scrutiny.

Why, they’re still allowing other options

 

[code-m]

Apple could just say that "sign-in" list has to be in alphabetical order and they will be fine (like Sign in with Apple, Sign in with Google, Sign in with Facebook, etc.). This, to me, is just asking for trouble.

A web developer can place whatever sign in with order as their see fit. I understand what Apple is trying to do, however they intent may have negative repercussions. If people value their privacy they will opt for the option of choice and not being manipulated through placement order.

If you ask me having Apple’s sign option at the bottom maybe beneficial as it is closer to ones thumb when holding a phone. Besides being at the bottom kinda symbolizes the underdog in this space. Psychology states people will find the easiest method to use the least amount of energy to complete a task, I feel Apple is demanding too much from its developers and will lead to push back and other litigation suits.

 

[BootsWalking]

Why, they’re still allowing other options

Ask Microsoft why.

 

[code-m]

Why, they’re still allowing other options

Don’t underestimate being in favour with big tech companies, I get this feeling that other companies will now pay web developers to place their option above all else. Great for developers to make extra cash.
[doublepost=1559763206][/doublepost]

Suddenly Google sign in becomes Alphabet's Google.

It will turn ugly as companies will start using logos then.
[doublepost=1559763289][/doublepost]

Good. Who would want to use the others anyway?!

People who do not have an iOS or Mac deceive
[doublepost=1559763412][/doublepost]

Good. I’m not on google or Facebook because they are disgusting companies. I hope to see apples sign in everywhere I see Facebook. Good for Apple, a company that actually wants to put its products first HOW DARE THEY!! Not like any company in world does that right? God everyone are such babies these days. Grow up snowflake generation you’ll get over it.

I don’t believe you understand providing the option to developers vice asking them to do it. This just leave a bad taste coming from Apple who is trying to position itself as the better option.