Apple Bans iFixit Developer Account and Removes App After Apple TV Teardown

[tomnavratil]

Oh so because you signed a few NDAs you're a cookie? Please you and everyone else knows they at Apple are wrong. Let's not act as it they're perfect. Still selling a 16GB phone in 2015. I have plenty of Apple products but there is no need to get smart by trying to say I'm a troll because I'm not. A lot of things would go much smoother in today's society if it wasn't for politically correctness getting in the way. Again I see no damage done to anyone in this situation with Ifixit. I have question myself and wonder if you're the troll here. You also seem like the type to tell in your coworkers for clocking a minute late. Please loosen up life is too short to be so uptight with the rules and regulations that really have no business being there or is just a waste of time.

First, no need to get personal. Because I have signed a few NDAs and I have studied business law as part of my degree and put NDAs into place as well, I think I have certain knowledge and experiences to be commenting on this topic.

Please explain to me how is Apple wrong when iFixit broke the NDA? You are bringing a completely unrelated argument into the discussion. Still selling a 16GB base model is a business decision I don't like as well as a consumer but it has absolutely nothing to do with Apple TV or a business relationship we are discussing here.

You need to understand this has absolutely nothing to do with political correctness. There has been a business relationship where one party violated a valid contract, which has been put into place. Nobody forced them to sign that NDA and to participate in development, they've chosen to.

So now you are making personal assumptions based on what? First, it's not true and secondly I have no idea how is that related to the NDA. If I broke an NDA in my work and my boss found out and I got sacked, well my fault, nobody else's. I do agree that life is too short however there is a reason why NDAs are in place, it's because of constant R&D, which brings us new products and technologies.

I see you probably don't agree with a concept of NDAs or business integrity for that matter however you should stay objective without making personal remarks, attacking a person with a different opinion, there is absolutely no need for that on a quality forum like MacRumors.

 

[AFDoc]

This is incredibly petty of Apple. It's not like iFixIt showing us the guts of the Apple TV hurt them in any way.

It sounds like this is them "making an example out of" iFixIt to scare other devs into following the agreements to the letter. Still, pretty petty in my opinion. iFixIt contributes a lot to the community.

How is it petty of Apple when all they asked was for people to respect their black-out.......... I have to question your integrity if you believe it was ok for iFi to do that. If they would have waited and did their surgery on a retail unit (would have been 100% the same yet a few days later) there would be no issue.

 

[Rafterman]

But you're missing the point. This is pre-release development hardware NOT necessarily the consumer model. By breaching the NDA they may have given their competitors a headsup. This can affect Apple stock.

Viewing the guts a month before release doesn't give their competitors much help. Six months, maybe. But not a month (or even less).

If anything, stuff like iFixit teardowns gives Apple more fan interest. Secretly, Apple is probably pleased.

 

[maflynn]

There's apple again, just ruining the fun

 

[tombiscuit]

View attachment 588312

And I guess Apple's shut down all the other dev accounts of people who've written or tweeted about getting a new Apple TV and its various features.

What? They HAVEN'T shut down those accounts?

OK guys, all those people here who wrote about how Apple is doing the right thing and how iFixIt is "evil" (yeah, one guy did actually write that).

You need to contact Apple RIGHT NOW and tell them to shut down all those other developer accounts. Anybody who tweeted about their new Apple TV, or blogged, or iMessaged a friend.

Come on. Fair is fair. You have a duty. Get to it, MR forum members!

 

[bking10]

But you're missing the point. This is pre-release development hardware NOT necessarily the consumer model. By breaching the NDA they may have given their competitors a headsup. This can affect Apple stock.

lol. you are serious? they sent it out to randomly selected developers. Once it's out in the public, there is no secret anymore. I also don't get why anyone would support Apple here. We rely on these tear downs to actually find out what is inside i devices since Apple doesnt like to provide details on their under spec'd devices. Strict enforcement hurts us as the consumers. So put your pom poms down

 

[kds1]

Thanks iFixit however, you guys should have really respected Apple's NDA.

I'm so glad iFixit ended up stepping into a pile of **** for this. Oh, and I love their passive agressive retort of "Well our app was riddled with bugs caused by iOS 9 anyway, so there!" Morons. The unit was for developing software, not tearing it down. They got what they deserved. If it makes them feel better they can go comiserate with Gizmodo.

And I guess Apple's shut down all the other dev accounts of people who've written or tweeted about getting a new Apple TV and its various features.

What? They HAVEN'T shut down those accounts?

OK guys, all those people here who wrote about how Apple is doing the right thing and how iFixIt is "evil" (yeah, one guy did actually write that).

You need to contact Apple RIGHT NOW and tell them to shut down all those other developer accounts. Anybody who tweeted about their new Apple TV, or blogged, or iMessaged a friend.

Come on. Fair is fair. You have a duty. Get to it, MR forum members!

A duty for what? The units were distributed for the developing of software, not for a teardown feature on your website!

 

[SvenSvenson]

This is incredibly petty of Apple. It's not like iFixIt showing us the guts of the Apple TV hurt them in any way..

So what are Apple to do? Are they to analyse every single breach of their NDA to see if any harm has been done and if it appears not, to ignore that breach (even if it's a very, very public breach)?

It like the police having to investigate every single speeding offence to see if any harm has been done bofore issuing a fine.

They knew the rules and they chose to breake them - they admitted they were taking a risk.

 

[kds1]

This is incredibly petty of Apple. It's not like iFixIt showing us the guts of the Apple TV hurt them in any way.

It sounds like this is them "making an example out of" iFixIt to scare other devs into following the agreements to the letter. Still, pretty petty in my opinion. iFixIt contributes a lot to the community.

Tell me what kind of app iFixit was going to develop for the AppleTV? That's what these units were distributed for.

 

[Geekazoid]

I say, if you agree to something you should keep with that agreement. I know iFixit have done great things, but this isn't one of them. I do actually support Apple on their decision to ban their account, even if the domino effect is that their app, and I quote, that is "outdated and riddled with bugs" is removed from the Apple App Store.

With this kind of attitude...

We weighed the risks, blithely tossed those risks over
our shoulder, and tore down the Apple TV anyway."

...you ain't gonna get anywhere. You can't be a law under yourself and choose to ignore agreements.

Not good iFixit, not good at all.

 

[jaded-mandarin]

I'm sorry, but what the hell were Apple expecting iFixit to do with the Apple TV? Develop their App for it?

Riiiiight...

 

[theluggage]

Viewing the guts a month before release doesn't give their competitors much help.

A month is plenty of time to produce a 'spoiler' announcement of a vapourware product with better specs, but this isn't really about competitors copying the product: its about potential bad press from pre-release bugs or if the production machines have different specs; its about reputable publications who respect embargo dates not getting unfairly scooped by idiots who make their own rules; its about bone fide developers who didn't get one of the limited number of development kits. Its about Apple being able to continue their relatively affordable and accessible developer and beta programs, which relies on people respecting NDAs.

Six months, maybe. But not a month (or even less).

How about 5 months? 4 months? 3 months? 2 months? Or how about iFixit put on their big boy pants, observe the NDA that they signed?

Um, Apple, you gave an Apple TV to an outfit with only one poorly-maintained app in the marketplace,

So Apple are a big meanie for enforcing their own NDA, but they should have bent the rules of the development machine lottery to exclude developers who's faces didn't fit? An iFixit AppleTV app to let people watch their How To videos would make perfect sense.

ask yourself if you’ve ever been in contravention of a EULA or similar binding agreement, (which you agreed to beforehand simply by buying or using the product);

Irrelevant. An EULA (basically a wheeze that lets software publishers do an end run around consumer protection laws, despite their interests being quite adequately protected by copyright). One of the major problems with EULAs is that you don't agree to them beforehand - they're foisted on you after they've taken your money. Also, many of the clauses in EULAs are unenforceable in many jurisdictions. EULAs need to be killed with fire.

An NDA accepted by a developer (not a consumer) before being given access to commercially sensitive information is a completely different issue. They don't mess with your consumer rights (because you're not a consumer) and they mostly expire as soon as the information is publicly released.

 

[Arran]

Kind of curious about that myself. I use the website frequently, but had never tried the app.

If their own comment is to be believed, it's very buggy under iOS9, so the answer would seem to be no, or at least that it's not well maintained.

Makes you wonder if the iFixit app and developer account was nothing more than a ruse to acquire developer status and inside information from Apple?

Like you, I've used iFixit's website for years, but had no idea they offered an app too. They haven't exactly pushed it, have they?

 

[kds1]

...you ain't gonna get anywhere. You can't be a law under yourself and choose to ignore agreements.

This is a recurrent problem in the tech industry. "The rules, laws, etc. don't apply to us. We're special."

See Uber for a further example of this kind of arrogance.

Um, Apple, you gave an Apple TV to an outfit with only one poorly-maintained app in the marketplace, and which has a reputation for taking gadgets apart and posting their guts online, and you didn't think this would happen?

It was a LOTTERY. Remember?

 

[throAU]

Can't say i am surprised, perhaps iFixit should have read their dev account terms regarding non-disclosure.

Especially given the hardware hasn't even been released yet.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of what iFixit do - but disclosing details of not-yet-released-to-market gear that you only have because of dev account which is quite clear in it's statement regarding non-disclosure, they got what they deserved in this case.

 

[Geekazoid]

This is a recurrent problem in the tech industry. "The rules, laws, etc. don't apply to us. We're special."

Ain't that the truth. Well, the surprising news, whether
they like it or not, is...THE RULES STILL APPLY DAMN IT!!!

 

[Arran]

Tell me what kind of app iFixit was going to develop for the AppleTV?

Well, none now!

But they did this to themselves. And as a frequent customer myself, it makes me question their integrity. If they won't honor their legally-binding agreements with a high-powered business partner, then how much respect can a lowly customer expect from them?

Makes you wonder.

 

[kds1]

Well, none now!

But they did this to themselves. And as a frequent customer myself, it makes me question their integrity. If they won't honor their legally-binding agreements with a high-powered business partner, then how much respect can a lowly customer expect from them?

Makes you wonder.

I love this comment someone made in response to iFixit's blog post:

"You intentionally broke your agreement with Apple and you think that’s fine. In the next breath you offer your code to anyone who wants it with this condition, “Just respect our license and don’t put ads in it.” You ask for respect and offer none."

iFixit. What a jerk of an outfit.

 

[Twimfy]

They potentially did. Prerelease hardware may have components inside it that are still under NDA. Not Apple's NDA to the developers, instead possible NDAs Apple may be under with their suppliers. What shipped to developers may not be the final hardware, and final components.

This gets into tricky legal territory beyond the basic NDA and contract laws too. Leaking of a component to be used in a possible mass consumer product could lead to investors making different stock buying decisions. The situation would then involve the SEC and other stock market regulators.

I've seen a number of dev only prerelease kits, mostly in the video game console space. At times these devices ship well ahead of any regulatory testing as well. They come with very strict guidelines for a number of both legal and contract reasons such as the examples I've provided.

Should iFixit's app be a casualty of this situation? Thats a different aspect to this, and I personally don't think it should have been.

Just quoting you so people who can't be bothered to go back can read your post as it's by far the most valid point in the whole thread.

 

[rdlink]

What's so ignorant about what I said? Anyways wasn't speaking to you but maybe you agree with his logic so be it. I guess you were both coddle but let me tell you something there will be no coddling here this is the real world. Thanks

In order to be a developer for Apple (or any other tech company) one must sign an agreement, and it almost always includes an NDA. NDA agreements are necessary to protect intellectual property and brand value. iFixit knew they were bound by an NDA when they signed up for a developer account.

Apple offered the developer kits to allow legitimate developers early access to the Apple TV, so that they could begin developing applications for the hardware and OS.

iFixit knew, and publicly stated that they knew that they were violating the NDA when they decided to take their developer kit Apple TV and use it for an unintended purpose. But they didn't care. They violated the contract they signed when they became a developer, and they got exactly what they deserved.

The fact that you cannot (or refuse to) comprehend that is what made your post ignorant.

They potentially did. Prerelease hardware may have components inside it that are still under NDA. Not Apple's NDA to the developers, instead possible NDAs Apple may be under with their suppliers. What shipped to developers may not be the final hardware, and final components.

This gets into tricky legal territory beyond the basic NDA and contract laws too. Leaking of a component to be used in a possible mass consumer product could lead to investors making different stock buying decisions. The situation would then involve the SEC and other stock market regulators.

I've seen a number of dev only prerelease kits, mostly in the video game console space. At times these devices ship well ahead of any regulatory testing as well. They come with very strict guidelines for a number of both legal and contract reasons such as the examples I've provided.

Should iFixit's app be a casualty of this situation? Thats a different aspect to this, and I personally don't think it should have been.

You had me all the way up to the last paragraph. iFixit's app should absolutely be "a casualty" of this situation. They violated the terms of the developer agreement, blatantly and without regret. Apple then very appropriately terminated their developer account. By default, when a developer account has been removed/banned any and all apps that the developer has in the store are banned, as well. There's really no other logical or realistic way for it to happen. How can a developer's apps stay in the store when the developer no longer has access to update or maintain them? The contract is broken, and the relationship is over. It would be like divorcing your spouse but then telling them they can leave their clothes in your closet.

 

[Bradford_Wolf]

After the new fourth-generation Apple TV was announced on September 9, Apple provided developers with Apple TV Dev Kits to be used to create tvOS apps for the device. Teardown site iFixit took apart one of those Apple TV units meant for developers and has now run into some repercussions for doing so.

According to a post on the iFixit blog, the teardown, which unveiled all of the internal components of the new Apple TV, violated Apple's terms and conditions. As a result, iFixit's developer account was banned, leading to the removal of the iFixit app from the App Store.

iFixit's Apple TV unit was sent directly from Apple with the same restrictions placed on Apple TV units sent to other developers, but iFixit ignored the fine print. "We weighed the risks, blithely tossed those risks over our shoulder, and tore down the Apple TV anyway," reads the blog post.With the iFixit app removed from the Apple Store, iFixit is instead planning to revamp its mobile website and does not have plans to rewrite the app. The decision to focus on the iFixit mobile site came before the app was pulled by Apple, so it was not a huge loss to iFixit. The site says the app was outdated and riddled with bugs caused by iOS 9.

Following the release of Apple TV Developer Kits, many other developers shared photos, unboxings, and feature tidbits about the device. It is unknown if Apple has also contacted these developers about non-disclosure violations.

Article Link: Apple Bans iFixit Developer Account and Removes App After Apple TV Teardown

This is ridiculous Apple... My developer account was terminated because I sold it on eBay. Can't get a new account for another year.

 

[prowlmedia]

This is ridiculous Apple... My developer account was terminated because I sold it on eBay. Can't get a new account for another year.

Wow! As a developer I am astounded you think that was acceptable and didn't read the T&Cs regarding it.

 

[kds1]

They potentially did. Prerelease hardware may have components inside it that are still under NDA. Not Apple's NDA to the developers, instead possible NDAs Apple may be under with their suppliers. What shipped to developers may not be the final hardware, and final components.

This gets into tricky legal territory beyond the basic NDA and contract laws too. Leaking of a component to be used in a possible mass consumer product could lead to investors making different stock buying decisions. The situation would then involve the SEC and other stock market regulators.

I've seen a number of dev only prerelease kits, mostly in the video game console space. At times these devices ship well ahead of any regulatory testing as well. They come with very strict guidelines for a number of both legal and contract reasons such as the examples I've provided.

Should iFixit's app be a casualty of this situation? Thats a different aspect to this, and I personally don't think it should have been.

Agree with everything you said, except the last two sentences. iFixit's developer account was used under false pretenses to get an advance delivery of the AppleTV that was meant for pre-development of software, not for what iFixit did with it.

 

[ggibson913]

Thank you Apple!

Finally nice that they put the foot down on these companies. You agree to a NDA and broke it. They are lucky they aren't heavily fined.

It's not hard to wait for a production unit and tear it down then.

Apple is a public company not the Government, they don't have the power to fine anyone, at most they can sue.

 

[tomnavratil]

This is ridiculous Apple... My developer account was terminated because I sold it on eBay. Can't get a new account for another year.

Either this is sarcasm or I'm really surprised a developer would do anything like this. There are NDAs and contracts in place and I'm surprised they only terminated your membership for a year, that's pretty generous for what you did.