Apple Blocks iTorrent App From EU Alternative App Marketplace [Updated]

[Unregistered 4U]

Waiting to see whether Apple will clarify. However will not be surprised if Apple is actually deciding to block the app.

I’m surprised they did! The developer was counting on Apple not saying anything. And, because the reason for removing it was not an Apple decision, I can understand that they would need to have some specific clarification as to what they could publicly say from the government.

 

[knappeduivel]

You literally made a claim that's unfounded. You did the exact thing you're accusing me of doing.

Thanks for noticing.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

So, if an iOS Torrent client is breaking “sanctions-related rules”, then all the Mac & PC torrent clients are also breaking such rules, right? Therefore, legitimate macOS (and Windows and Linux) torrent clients such as Transmission, which are currently notarized, are in risk of, not only stop being notarized but also allowed to run in the computer?

If so, we would be reaching a dystopian future where supra-national governments (in this case, the EU) with the collaboration of big corporations (Apple, Microsoft & Google) will be able to determine what we can install on our devices or not. What code we can run or not. I said dystopian future but in some regions with authoritarian governments this is already a reality …

I’m just a messenger, so don’t take this as me endorsing, however…
Apple can already completely block certain Mac apps from opening without notarization, just like they can on iOS.
In fact, there once was a bug that stopped all Mac apps from opening, see here…

Mac Apps Not Opening or Slow Due to Apple Server Issues: How to Fix For Now

If you are seeing long delays in launching apps or being unable to open Mac Apps at all, this may be due to Apple having significant problems right...

www.macrumors.com

As long as you are connected to the Internet, Apple can absolutely stop any Mac app they want from opening.

 

[Populus]

I’m just a messenger, so don’t take this as me endorsing, however…
Apple can already completely block certain Mac apps from opening without notarization, just like they can on iOS.
In fact, there once was a bug that stopped all Mac apps from opening, see here…

Mac Apps Not Opening or Slow Due to Apple Server Issues: How to Fix For Now

If you are seeing long delays in launching apps or being unable to open Mac Apps at all, this may be due to Apple having significant problems right...

www.macrumors.com

As long as you are connected to the Internet, Apple can absolutely stop any Mac app they want from opening.

Thank you for the information, I had already forgotten about it. Hmm according to that note, denying the process trustd or disconnecting from the internet when launching the app solves it. That makes me think… if it wouldn’t be appropriate, privacy-wise, to just block trustd process, so that Apple couldn’t, not only prevent me from executing a software, but also to prevent them from knowing what I’m doing on my computer.

 

[Selena Agna]

I'll be on Asahi Linux by the next weekend if Apple ever flips a killswitch for a Mac app I'm using.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

thanks! sounds like super niche use cases though and you can achieve all of it by connecting iPhone to Mac and use cable

Oh for sure! The problem is when your main device is an iPad or iPhone, and there's no Mac or PC to use. Then, Apple's stance is just... horrible.

 

[LlamaLarry]

LOL, sure, but that undercuts the whole bs "but I download linux distros" argument.

Look, I torrent, and have no moral hand wringing about it, but I also don't try to engage in mental masturbation that I am not depriving the rights holders of their agreed upon fee structure from legal ways to view the content. I'm frankly stunned at the posters acting like it's not illegal/unlawful/morally questionable.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Something digital cant be stolen because it does not exist in the first place.

If only physical things can be stolen, then we wouldn't have laws around copyright, trademarks, patents, etc. Creative works are stolen all the time. Do you think stealing a patent can only be committed if someone steals a physical print of the patent itself?

And your claim about electricity is so low. Electricity is a physical thing. Its energy. Resources spent for creating it. It deserves payment. Movies make their money in theaters. Streaming platforms only benefits producers and ceo’s. Not actors or directors.

Okay, go buy 2 lbs. of electricity, I'll wait. This is a hilariously bad take.

Actors, directors, musicians, crew members artists, photographers and other creators are all paid for their work partly in thanks to licensing of digital works. Ever heard of residuals? Actors, writers and others had a very well-publicized strike against Hollywood studios recently over their contracts, which included expanded payments for works that go to streaming. Those contracts have always included residual payments. Maybe you heard about that? Money paid to streaming platforms don't only go to those at the top, they are a crucial part of the income for many creatives. It's payment for their labor, period.

It's pretty clear that these arguments are simply justification for infringement and theft. With the added bonus of trying to high road that infringement and theft by saying it only hurts the rich and powerful. As someone who earns income from creative work, and who knows people in many creative industries, it's a despicable attempt at trying to cover up theft.