Apple Denies Evidence of Hidden Browser Settings to UK Regulator [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Update: Apple told MacRumors that Open Web Advocacy's allegation that Apple is misleading the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is inaccurate. Apple says it told the CMA that the design of the identified browser setting was changed in a recent software update. The design was apparently never intended to discourage users from setting third-party browsers as the default.



Apple faces allegations of misleading the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over a user interface issue in iOS related to changing the default browser, Open Web Advocacy reports.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced accusing Apple of implementing a deceptive design practice in iOS that made it more difficult for users to switch their default browser if Safari was already set as the default. The issue was initially highlighted in March 2024 and was independently verified by multiple sources, including Ars Technica and the CMA. Specifically, the design hid the option to change the default browser when Safari was set as the default, while other browsers like Chrome and Firefox continued to display the option regardless of whether they were the default or not. This behavior was eventually addressed in an iOS update.

Now, in a formal response to the CMA, Apple has denied that this issue ever existed. The company responded to the regulator's inquiry on August 1, 2024, stating that the allegations regarding the hidden option to change the default browser were incorrect. The response read, "This is not correct. The default browser app setting in the Safari tab is clearly visible when the user has set Safari as the default." The statement effectively denies that the behavior reported by the CMA and others had ever been present in iOS, despite the availability of screenshots, videos, and other forms of evidence supporting the claims from media outlets and industry experts.

Apple has not provided an explanation for how its claim in the August response aligns with these findings, leaving open the question of whether the company's internal processes failed to verify the accuracy of its statements or whether it is actively attempting to minimize the situation. The matter could have legal implications. Under UK law, providing false or misleading information to a regulatory body such as the CMA can be considered a criminal offense. The CMA has the authority to request documentation, internal communications, and other records to verify claims made by companies under investigation. If it is determined that Apple provided false or incomplete information, the company could face penalties, including fines.

Article Link: Apple Denies Evidence of Hidden Browser Settings to UK Regulator [Updated]

 

[kylelerner]

This is hilarious given how Microsoft shoves Edge down your throat in Windows, makes it your default browser “accidentally” after Windows Updates, and now even requires you to sign-in with or create a Microsoft Account just to use a new PC.

Not to mention how changing your default web browser in Windows 11 is a purposefully confusing and time consuming process.

 

[avkills]

This is hilarious given how Microsoft shoves Edge down your throat in Windows, makes it your default browser “accidentally” after Windows Updates, and now even requires you to sign-in with or create a Microsoft Account just to use a new PC.

Not to mention how changing your default web browser in Windows 11 is a purposefully confusing and time consuming process.

Right. So annoying.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

This is hilarious given how Microsoft shoves Edge down your throat in Windows, makes it your default browser “accidentally” after Windows Updates, and now even requires you to sign-in with or create a Microsoft Account just to use a new PC.

Not to mention how changing your default web browser in Windows 11 is a purposefully confusing and time consuming process.

I still have a local account on my Win 11 laptop and no Microsoft account

 

[Realityck]

Even if you have a bug effecting the default browser, you can still use Firefox, Brave or any other browser you want on the iPhone.

 

[avkills]

I still have a local account on my Win 11 laptop and no Microsoft account

Me too, but they don't make it easy anymore.

 

[iZac]

Perhaps Tim wrote the response using Apple Intelligence.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

“This is our response. And we think you’re gonna love it.”

 

[sw1tcher]

Now, in a formal response to the CMA, Apple has denied that this issue ever existed. The company responded to the regulator's inquiry on August 1, 2024, stating that the allegations regarding the hidden option to change the default browser were incorrect. The response read, "This is not correct. The default browser app setting in the Safari tab is clearly visible when the user has set Safari as the default." The statement effectively denies that the behavior reported by the CMA and others had ever been present in iOS, despite the availability of screenshots, videos, and other forms of evidence supporting the claims from media outlets and industry experts.

So Apple is gaslighting us.

 

[Biro]

I don’t know if Apple’s devices are different in the UK, but I have never not been able switch my default browser in any iOS device that I have owned. Nor have I ever been unable to use any browser I wanted regardless of default settings.

 

[contacos]

Didn't they claim Safari on iOS wasn't a browser or some nonsense like that at some point as well.

 

[Seamaster]

“This is our response. And we think you’re gonna love it.”

"We couldn't be more excited about being up before the judge."

 

[kylelerner]

I still have a local account on my Win 11 laptop and no Microsoft account

Yes, same; but the average user, on a new W11 laptop cannot currently do this. It is not designed to be passable.

 

[Mescagnus]

Settings -> Safari -> Default Browser App. It's right there at the top.
Take your pick.

Now if that is hard for UK regulators, perhaps they should ditch & ban smartphones altogether and make landlines mandatory.

 

[klasma]

Even if you have a bug effecting the default browser, you can still use Firefox, Brave or any other browser you want on the iPhone.

Only with Apple’s browser engine.

 

[Spidder]

Even if you have a bug effecting the default browser, you can still use Firefox, Brave or any other browser you want on the iPhone.

They're all Safari under the hood.

So Apple is gaslighting us.

Yes. Every company, every lobby and every political party is trying to gaslight us, basically 24/7. It is incredibly toxic for both individuals, as well as the society as a whole and even though most people should be aware of the concept of gaslighting by now, it still works and for some reason, we accept it.

 

[klasma]

“This is our response. And we think you’re gonna love it.”

”It’s our best response ever.”

 

[Biro]

Settings -> Safari -> Default Browser App. It's right there at the top.
Take your pick.

Now if that is hard for UK regulators, perhaps they should ditch & ban smartphones altogether and make landlines mandatory.

It’s the same for search engines… which one can change at any time. I don’t know what the EU is getting on about on that point.

 

[Mousse]

Yes. Every company, every lobby and every political party is trying to gaslight us, basically 24/7. It is incredibly toxic for both individuals, as well as the society as a whole and even though most people should be aware of the concept of gaslighting by now, it still works and for some reason, we accept it.

We know. We choose to ignore. The Bard said it best in his Sonnet 138.

When my love swears that she is made of truth,
I do believe her, though I know she lies,

If a company you we don't like *cough* Google *cough* try to gaslight us, woe betide 'em.😁

 

[Manzanito]

”It’s our best response ever.”

We took last year’s response and made it even better.

 

[noodledog]

Settings -> Safari -> Default Browser App. It's right there at the top.
Take your pick.

Now if that is hard for UK regulators, perhaps they should ditch & ban smartphones altogether and make landlines mandatory.

Isn't the the point of this article and the supporting cites that this wasn't the case for some time? And has since been 'fixed' in an iOS update? I don't think we can just go look *now* and say there's no issue.

Am I understanding that correctly?

 

[dumastudetto]

Settings -> Safari -> Default Browser App. It's right there at the top.
Take your pick.

Now if that is hard for UK regulators, perhaps they should ditch & ban smartphones altogether and make landlines mandatory.

If you read the article, you'd understand current behaviour is irrelevant.

 

[verdi1987]

Settings -> Safari -> Default Browser App. It's right there at the top.
Take your pick.

Now if that is hard for UK regulators, perhaps they should ditch & ban smartphones altogether and make landlines mandatory.

The article states (and there’s also a link to another article with video) that that option disappeared if Safari was set to the default but was present when another browser was set to default. An iOS update fixed the issue, but Apple is now saying the bug never existed.

Reading comprehension is key!

 

[Mescagnus]

In that case perhaps the one who gave Apple's response wasn't working at the company when the issue existed. That'd be poor briefing or sloppy background work on Apple's part.

In any case, the option to change the default browser is now also present for example in Chrome's settings. I use both Safari and Chrome, but I haven't ever changed the default (Safari).

Maybe UK will fine Apple billions for the now fixed issue. I'm sure many anti-Apple people here would see that as fair.

 

[FastLaneJB]

Settings -> Safari -> Default Browser App. It's right there at the top.
Take your pick.

Now if that is hard for UK regulators, perhaps they should ditch & ban smartphones altogether and make landlines mandatory.

Talk about not reading the article before you comment.

It says that it is there now but it wasn't in the past. There are video and photo evidence of this from many sources and the main issue here is Apple is saying to the UK CMA (Read UK Government) that they are wrong and that this was never the case. If there's evidence to the contrary, Apple will get fined for lying to the government and it seems like there is a lot of evidence to back this up.