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

[Mescagnus]

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.

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.

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

 

[maxoakland]

I don’t think Apple deserves the benefit of the doubt anymore. They’ve been dishonest and grifty too many times. Lying about following the law when we can all see they aren’t trying to do that

 

[chris1958]

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.

Even if others are doing the same, it doesn't make it any better. Pointing at others is, what small children do.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

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

Not quite, they claimed that they had three separate browsers all called Safari

 

[brofkand]

Apple’s favorite thing to do is gaslight.

 

[H2SO4]

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.

Isn't math great hey. What I learned from your post;
Wrong + Wrong = Right.

 

[ItsASpider]

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

They said Safari on macOS, iOS and iPadOS where 3 distinct products after marketing it for years as "1 browser across all your devices", but that was to the EU to get out of the DMA requirements.

 

[mores]

The way I interpret the screenshots is: you change the default browser in the browser that you have currently set as default.

 

[jaemes]

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]

This has probably been stated already (I didn't read every comment - shame on me), but the video in the source shows behavior prior to iOS 18. I'm using iOS 18 Beta 8 on some devices (HomePods, Apple Watch, and Apple TVs), and 18.1 Beta 3 on others (MacBook Air M2 2023, and iPhone 15 Pro).

I have tested and verified that the depiction of the browser default choice flow being actively "hidden" if Safari is currently the default, is no longer the case in OS 18. Regardless of which default browser is currently "chosen" or "active", including Safari, the behavior has been modified to always display the choice to change your default browser through the settings option.

Kind of weird though, that they ever did implement the code to "hide" the toggle if Safari was currently set as the default. Apple knows better. Love the company and their products, but I prefer them to be forthcoming and honest; shocking, I know.

 

[cjsuk]

Ah yes OWA, the proponents of the open app store and fighting the app ecosystem with....The World Wide Web!

• An extremely large bloated pile of insecure junk (check browser CVEs / cross domain scripting / frame injection / spoofing / all sorts) built on top of a thousand hacks (XMLHttpRequest / DOM / JavaScript) which then have a thousand hacks (CSP etc etc) to fix the first holes.
• Running in large virtual machines (browsers) mostly centralised around a mono-ecosystem (Google/Chrome/Webkit) which is as user hostile as they get.
• Servicing content from remote servers they control (google cloud / AWS / whatever) using a protocol they extended (http/2) with no local-first story at all other than an inconsistently implemented idea (PWA).
• Building out software which does not work when it is not connected to the network (google docs).
• Servicing advertising through it without your consent if they can get away with it and actively trying to stop you from escaping that (Manifest v3).
• Then wrapping all that inside a thing and calling it an "app" when it's a web browser because it looks less insane (Electron).
• The end game of which is driving system requirements and energy usage through the roof to support several piles of this junk running a gig or so a process on your computer.

See we can all write a narrative. Theirs is that they are pissy because they can't leverage their choice of browser into your life, no other reason.

Note: been building web applications since 1999 and I'm done. The web should be for content. Content should be downloadable in a readable format (think typeset PDF). Apps for functional stuff. The apps should be downloadable, packaged and installed locally without a store around it. The mid-ground of web enabled apps MUST work locally first.

I'm not on Apple's side here with a store model. Or the web's side. They are BOTH completely wrong. But one is much much much worse than the other and I'm sorry but everyone in the OWA wants control over every little thing so they can create their own walled gardens that they control individually, with no authority other than their own. Apple at least have a reputation of wrapping moderately good customer service around that.

On my last point, once a SaaS web vendor has you, they know you can't leave and will have to keep paying. That's how I get paid every month!

 

[verdi1987]

The way I interpret the screenshots is: you change the default browser in the browser that you have currently set as default.

The option disappeared if Safari was set to the default. Interestingly, if you tapped where the option was supposed to be, it revealed the setting to change the default.

 

[jaemes]

Ah yes OWA, the proponents of the open app store and fighting the app ecosystem with....The World Wide Web!

• An extremely large bloated pile of insecure junk (check browser CVEs / cross domain scripting / frame injection / spoofing / all sorts) built on top of a thousand hacks (XMLHttpRequest / DOM / JavaScript) which then have a thousand hacks (CSP etc etc) to fix the first holes.
• Running in large virtual machines (browsers) mostly centralised around a mono-ecosystem (Google/Chrome/Webkit) which is as user hostile as they get.
• Servicing content from remote servers they control (google cloud / AWS / whatever) using a protocol they extended (http/2) with no local-first story at all other than an inconsistently implemented idea (PWA).
• Building out software which does not work when it is not connected to the network (google docs).
• Servicing advertising through it without your consent if they can get away with it and actively trying to stop you from escaping that (Manifest v3).
• Then wrapping all that inside a thing and calling it an "app" when it's a web browser because it looks less insane (Electron).
• The end game of which is driving system requirements and energy usage through the roof to support several piles of this junk running a gig or so a process on your computer.

See we can all write a narrative. Theirs is that they are pissy because they can't leverage their choice of browser into your life, no other reason.

Note: been building web applications since 1999 and I'm done. The web should be for content. Apps for functional stuff.

I'm not on Apple's side here with a store model. Or the web's side. They are BOTH completely wrong. But one is much much much worse than the other.

Some of your response was over my head in terms of the protocols and web technologies, but I have to say, I agree with you 100%. I've been looking through the OWA's site, and it's almost silly how they're even attempting to argue about this.

I always go back to this... You always have a choice... Either use a device that allows you to do what you need and want to do, or use one that "doesn't". But your choice to select to use one that doesn't is exactly that - your choice. Inherently, it's up to the buyer to choose.

Choosing an iPhone over the competition doesn't provide any standing for that buyer to then complain about the technologies encompassed in the product they chose to purchase. If the lack of a browser default choice affects you to the extent that you need to write an article to complain, I suppose you should immediately return the device and move on with your day.

 

[till]

Apple leaning hard on the "definition of is" defense.

Their statement is strictly true, in the present tense.

 

[andycarver]

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

Sad but true. Plus. It look like ms may be pulling the NRO bypass option

 

[cjsuk]

Sad but true. Plus. It look like ms may be pulling the NRO bypass option

Windows 10 LTSC and Windows 11 LTSC are still available via massgrave and usable and do not require an online account.

 

[2DeedleD]

This is dumb. This is tiring.

 

[kylelerner]

Even if others are doing the same, it doesn't make it any better. Pointing at others is, what small children do.

Not pointing at the same.
Pointing at much worse.

Respectfully disagree.

 

[kylelerner]

Isn't math great hey. What I learned from your post;
Wrong + Wrong = Right.

I think that they need to focus on the much worse before focusing on something far less worse. Just my opinion.

Seem they’ve been spamming Apple when Microsoft has some much more horrid stuff going on.

 

[H2SO4]

I think that they need to focus on the much worse before focusing on something far less worse. Just my opinion.

Seem they’ve been spamming Apple when Microsoft has some much more horrid stuff going on.

Maybe. Have you been on any M$ forums to see what's happening over there?

 

[MacAddict1978]

Search bar in settings: default browser
Comes right up.
Who the hell even scrolls through that messy maze of senseless settings menus? I swear Apple plays pick up sticks with the options and that is where they end up so not just the default browser setting. I'm usually the first to ding them when they do evil, but the whole settings app is evil so.... it's equal opportunity.

 

[MacAddict1978]

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.

Way not to read the article.... but also want to call out that WHY IS THE DEFAULT BROWSER SETTING IN THE SAFARI SETTINGS AT ALL?
It literally makes no sense there.

 

[dwaite]

Way not to read the article.... but also want to call out that WHY IS THE DEFAULT BROWSER SETTING IN THE SAFARI SETTINGS AT ALL?
It literally makes no sense there.

Where else would it have gone? The about this phone page?

That is why they have created the "Default Apps" section now, so that there is an intuitive spot for these settings.

The funny thing is that I have no idea what many of the "default app" choices are going to do. What is a default messaging app, for instance? The one that handles all the "sms:*" urls we see all day everyday? https://developer.apple.com/library...oneURLScheme_Reference/SMSLinks/SMSLinks.html

 

[kylelerner]

Maybe. Have you been on any M$ forums to see what's happening over there?

Unfortunately yes, I’ve seen many people complain about the buggy Updates and Windows 11 Microsoft sign-in requirements changing. They’re making some odd decisions forsure. Perhaps it’s just the tech industry as a whole right now!

 

[svish]

Waiting to see what happens with this issue.

 

[H2SO4]

Unfortunately yes, I’ve seen many people complain about the buggy Updates and Windows 11 Microsoft sign-in requirements changing. They’re making some odd decisions forsure. Perhaps it’s just the tech industry as a whole right now!

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant with regard to the EU.