Apple Could Be Forced to Follow New Digital Competition Rules or Face Fines, Under UK Proposal

[Wildkraut]

Apple should push an update to these politicians’ phones with zero apps in them and then tell them here’s your open platform and let them figure it out how to side load third party apps on it.

Yes please, I hope they read and follow your advice, and also act childish that way.
This would just end the antitrust case quicker with the enforced long-awaited optional sideload.
They would also get fined for invasion of privacy.

Anyway, I hope they also set a short deadline for the implementation of sideloading.

 

[rpmurray]

I'm sure that the UK won't abuse these new powers to compel Apple to build backdoors into iOS so they can make sure they comply with the law. Right? Right? <crickets>.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Time for Apple to put up or shut up.

Use that war chest to pay these fines to protect us from the incredibly moronic UK gubmint.

 

[Wildkraut]

I'm sure that the UK won't abuse these new powers to compel Apple to build backdoors into iOS so they can make sure they comply with the law. Right? Right? <crickets>.

You mean now UK then USA,EU,CN,JP,AU,RU,BR, right?
Did I forget some country? Hmmm sorry, you'll get sideloading too.

It's not only UK, Apple is facing antitrust around the globe, and this is a good thing.
I'm looking forward to more openness.

 

[Havoc035]

You mean now UK then USA,EU,CN,JP,AU,RU,BR, right?
Did I forget some country? Hmmm sorry, you'll get sideloading too.

It's not only UK, Apple is facing antitrust around the globe, and this is a good thing.
I'm looking forward to more openness.

Why are you looking forward to that though? It offers no real world benefits at all. It just brings risks and fragmentation. Also curious as to why you don't simply switch to Android if you're into openness.

 

[Wildkraut]

Why are you looking forward to that though? It offers no real world benefits at all. It just brings risks and fragmentation. Also curious as to why you don't simply switch to Android if you're into openness.

This has been stated so many times in here.
But yeah, lack of knowledge leads to unfounded fear.
WOW Apple is good at brainwashing with FUD, they perfectionized it in a way Microsoft couldn't in the 90's.

 

[Kilibee]

If Apple just moves their business out of the UK, and let BoJo the clown handle the aftermath…

 

[The_Martini_Cat]

Th UK gov logic only works if Apple dominates the market - but for what? iPhones? Give me a break! there is a reason the martini cat has products only on the App Store. (Which, of course I would encourage you to imbibe??) The android app stores are too complicated to figure out where the heck they are, at least so far??

 

[bluecoast]

Reading the press release, this seems to be two pronged:

1) Equal promotion of services
Stopping the platform providers from pushing their own services in the OS (or top place on their app stores) and giving equal prominence to competitors. I think that we can take it as a given that this will happen.

2) App Store warning shot
I think that the sub-text of this to companies like Apple is - you have 6 months or so to get the App Store in order and make some meaningful concessions & we'll back off - or we'll regulate you. And it won't be pretty.

I don't think it's necessarily about the UK being dead set on forcing Apple to allow the setting up different app stores imho - just for Apple et al to stop abusing their position & taking more than their fair share.

 

[sintra1]

The U.K. government is today unveiling its plan to regulate tech giants, such as Apple, to ensure that the U.K's digital market, which includes platforms such as the App Store, is open for competition, and not dominated by any particular company.

In April, the U.K. created the DMU or Digital Markets Unit under the Competition and Markets Authority. With newly given powers, that new unit will now be able to designate big tech companies as "Strategic Market Status." Companies with the SMS status will be required to "follow new rules of acceptable behavior" that aim to boost competition and growth for the economy.
While no companies are directly listed as being designated as "Strategic Market Status," the U.K. has been ramping up its investigations and concerns against Apple. The U.K. and others have been investigating Apple over concerns that it holds a dominant position in the markets that it operates in, a rhetoric Apple has pushed strongly against. Countries are also concerned about alleged anti-competitive behavior undertaken by Apple.

One of the largest concerns of governments, and the catalyst behind Apple's legal battle with game developer Epic Games, is the App Store. Apple only allows users to download apps on iPhone and iPad from its App Store platform, which it controls. Apple must approve all apps that go onto the store, and there has been rising pressure for the company to allow users to "sideload" apps, giving users the freedom to download apps beyond the platform.

As part of the new proposal, the Digital Markets Unit may require that companies avoid restricting users to a specific or "default" service to prevent them from limiting competition. That new requirement would branch under a new "mandatory code of conduct" that tech companies would need to follow. If a company fails to follow the code, it could be subjected to fines or could be forced to overturn decisions.
One direct implication for Apple could be the DMU overturning decisions it makes regarding the App Store. Apple has policies that govern the App Store and a development agreement that all developers must consent to before distributing apps on the platform. Under the proposal, the DMU could possibly overturn some of Apple's App Store decisions, such as what apps are rejected, or even the direct terms and conditions that developers must agree to.

The App Store and its governing policies came under the spotlight last August when Epic Games, the makers behind the hit game Fortnite, breached Apple's App Store Guidelines by introducing an unauthorized payment method for in-app purchases. Some are concerned that Apple uses its App Store Guidelines as an unfair way to limit competition.

The U.K's Digital Secretary, Oliver Dowden, called the new measures a "champion" effort to give smaller companies a chance to compete in the digital market and to "make sure" that tech companies play by the rules.
Apple has been contacted for a response to the new proposal and we'll update this if we hear back.

Article Link: Apple Could Be Forced to Follow New Digital Competition Rules or Face Fines, Under UK Proposal

The GB administration are far more concerned by Apples refusals to cooperate in mass spying and data transfer requests .
The couldn't care less about competition !

 

[Art Mark]

Good.

Apple are more than happy to follow the laws of countries like China, I'm sure they'll follow the laws of democratic nations too.

Funny thing is, China hasn’t demanded side loading apps. But the ‘democratic’ Govt of the UK might. But look at the UK in general. They are years behind in tech with a government that’s completely in protective mode. Leaving the UK isn’t a big deal, it’s a tiny island. I think they believe it’s still the 1700’s and the world takes them seriously as a power.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

it's on the user then.

It’s already on the user.

 

[Havoc035]

This has been stated so many times in here.
But yeah, lack of knowledge leads to unfounded fear.
WOW Apple is good at brainwashing with FUD, they perfectionized it in a way Microsoft couldn't in the 90's.

People who don't agree with you don't always have a lack of knowledge. I've been following this debate for a pretty long time and I have yet to see any compelling arguments for an opened up iOS. I'm genuinely curious what you find compelling about it.

 

[hagar]

I do agree that some first party apps and services are problematic. Apple Music comes to mind, but the same could be said for the Notes or Weather app so it’s hard to draw a line.

The App Store however is not anti- competitive. Apple built the thing all by itself on top of its own hardware platform. It’s like forcing a supermarket to open up stores of the competition in its own building. Don’t like the App Store, then by another brand of phone.

 

[Art Mark]

Good.

Apple are more than happy to follow the laws of countries like China, I'm sure they'll follow the laws of democratic nations too.

I’d add to my earlier comment about the uselessness of the UK with a list of the countries with the highest GNP. The UK isn’t a threat economically.

GNP by Country

www.macrotrends.net

 

[bobenhaus]

VIVA EU for standing up the big bullies like $pple. Apple says, " We care about peoples privacy " . lol yeah right.

 

[Gabebear]

You can’t release software for consoles without the console makers certification regardless of what format it’s sold in

Yep… if the UK tries to say the Nintendo AppStore is legal but Apple’s isn’t I could see some bizarre stuff happening.

I’m imagining cartridges with lightning connectors that can be used to sideload iOS apps. All software still has to be approved by Apple and Apple gets a cut of all sales of cartridges, but Apple is now sufficiently similar to Nintendo to get past the law. Oh, the cartridges would also be region-locked to the UK only.

Or maybe Apple adds a joystick to the UK model of their next iPhone to get past a new ban…

Or maybe Apple decides to remove the ability to use the iPhone as a telephone in the UK to get it into the “console” designation…

 

[Sciomar]

So UK doesn't have people competent enough to make their own phone and now demand control over a company from the US, will they go after Tesla as well since their entertainment center is a highly capable device as well? I relate the UK to China in respect to their egocentrism to have other countries put in the work and then them try to demand a seat at the table.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

“They basically believe that their way is the best way. And to be fair … the iPhone has had incredible success. But you talk to any external security researcher, they’re probably not going to have a lot of great things to say about Apple.

Translation:
Apole basically believes their way is the best way. And, looking at the results, ok, yeah, they’re right. BUT, there are a group of people that have NO idea what it takes to produce a popular tech product that millions would want to use (Security Researchers) that don’t like Apple. OH, and the Security Researcher’s idea of a secure product is a product that has no wireless or wired connectivity, locked in a lockbox, in a safe, in a safe deposit box, in a building in an undisclosed location.

In other news, hackers don’t have a lot of great things to say about Security Researchers. The Guardian tells you WHY!

 

[Pezimak]

Oh they sure do get their cut. They absolutely do, because their cut is paid directly to them in the form of a royalty.

They only make their money in the initial sale. I'm not sure how your friend or an eBay seller pays them royalties? Or did you mean the initial sale pays them their cut? Still it's vastly different to the app store

You can’t release software for consoles without the console makers certification regardless of what format it’s sold in

Sure, but what does that have to do the topic? That has no impact on the second hand games market.

That’s why both Sony and Microsoft have digital only systems which will eventually be the default way people consume games like on pc

Well when they are mainstream and the 'only' way to purchase games it can be a valid point, but I don't think it will happen anytime soon especially due to pricing on some games.

 

[VulchR]

Funny thing is, China hasn’t demanded side loading apps. But the ‘democratic’ Govt of the UK might. But look at the UK in general. They are years behind in tech with a government that’s completely in protective mode. Leaving the UK isn’t a big deal, it’s a tiny island. I think they believe it’s still the 1700’s and the world takes them seriously as a power.

I’d add to my earlier comment about the uselessness of the UK with a list of the countries with the highest GNP. The UK isn’t a threat economically.

GNP by Country

www.macrotrends.net

The UK has the world's fifth largest economy and punches well above its weight in science and technology. I doubt Apple wants to sour their relationship with the UK.

Anyway if the lunatic UK government wants to regulate something about the app store, it should start with the direct 1:1 mapping of app store prices from $'s to £'s. The ****ing exchange rate is $1.36 per £, not $1.00 per £. ???

Otherwise I like the app store the way it is, but if Apple is going to be allowed to control the selection of apps in the store, the the UK government should hold them to acceptable levels of quality control (screening for shame apps, fraudulent apps, and spyware). The UK government should also hold Apple responsible for publishing true reviews of apps rather than the propaganda that usually appears. In this regard, I'd like them to do the same with Amazon.

 

[TVOR]

I haven't read any of the comments...but GOD I hope Apple leaves the UK market over this!!! And I say that as a fully paid up Apple fanboy with two iPhones, an iPad, two MacBook Pros, an iMac and an OG cheesegrater Mac Pro (EDIT: ...and a UK resident)

 

[squirrellydw]

Apple just stop selling products in the UK. Problem solved, they will either back down or they won’t. I’m sure governments would love to use phone made by China

 

[rpmurray]

Funny thing is, China hasn’t demanded side loading apps. But the ‘democratic’ Govt of the UK might. But look at the UK in general. They are years behind in tech with a government that’s completely in protective mode. Leaving the UK isn’t a big deal, it’s a tiny island. I think they believe it’s still the 1700’s and the world takes them seriously as a power.

Applexit.

 

[rpmurray]

Anyway if the lunatic UK government wants to regulate something about the app store, it should start with the direct 1:1 mapping of app store prices from $'s to £'s. The ****ing exchange rate is $1.36 per £, not $1.00 per £.

You're forgetting about the VAT.