Apple Privacy Chief: North Dakota Bill 'Threatens to Destroy the iPhone as You Know It'

[MacRumors]

The North Dakota Senate this week introduced a new bill that would prevent Apple and Google from requiring developers to use their respective app stores and payment methods, paving the way for alternative app store options, reports The Bismarck Tribune.

According to Senator Kyle Davison, who introduced Senate Bill 2333 yesterday, the legislation is designed to "level the playing field" for app developers in North Dakota and shield customers from "devastating, monopolistic fees imposed by big tech companies," which refers to the cut that Apple and Google take from developers.

Specifically, the bill would prevent Apple from requiring a developer to use a digital application distribution platform as the exclusive mode of distributing a digital product, and it would keep the company from requiring developers to use in-app purchases as the exclusive mode of accepting payment from a user. There's also wording preventing Apple from retaliating against developers who choose alternate distribution and payment methods.

Apple Chief Privacy Engineer Erik Neuenschwander spoke out against the bill, saying that it "threatens to destroy the iPhone as you know it" by requiring changes that would "undermine the privacy, security, safety, and performance" of the iPhone.

Neuenschwander said that Apple "works hard" to keep bad apps from the App Store, and North Dakota's bill would "require us to let them in."

Apple does not allow apps to be installed on iOS devices outside of the App Store and there are no alternate app store options that are available. Apple reviews every app that is made available for its customers to download, something that would not happen with a third-party app store option.

Apple also does not let app developers accept payments through methods other than in-app purchase except in select situations, a policy that has led to Apple's legal fight with Epic Games. Epic Games added an alternate payment method to Fortnite last year, leading the app to be banned from the App Store.

Basecamp co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson, who was also embroiled in a legal fight with Apple over email app "HEY" last year, testified in favor of SB 2333 and said that it gives him hope that "tech monopolies aren't going to rule the world forever."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1359203441827078145

In 2020, Apple faced a U.S. antitrust inquiry into its App Store fees and policies, which resulted in a 450 page report calling for new antitrust laws focused on promoting fair competition in digital markets, strengthening laws related to mergers and monopolization, and restoring vigorous oversight and enforcement of antitrust law.

No federal legislation has been introduced as of yet, and the North Dakota Senate committee did not take action on the bill. Senator Jerry Klein said that there's "still some mulling to be done" in reference to the bill.

Article Link: Apple Privacy Chief: North Dakota Bill 'Threatens to Destroy the iPhone as You Know It'

 

[SigEp265]

I understand the need for secure app stores but shouldn’t we be able to install software as we please ? And I’m not speaking for pirated apps — that’s a whole other discussion.

 

[nicolas_s]

I'm ok with that, as long as people who install alternative stores promise not to complain if anything goes wrong with these unverified apps.

 

[farewelwilliams]

How about we stop quoting DHH? You know, the person who exploited his 15 minutes of fame for a failing email service that one wants to use anymore?

 

[Seoras]

The consumers aren't asking for this but someone is driving it hard.
I found myself, only yesterday after cleaning a trojan from a Mac, explaining to its owner why the App Store is essential.
You need a gateway to the software you install on your device that gives you confidence that what you are installing doesn't come with more than what you expect. Either malware or spyware that wants to profile you and sell your data.
I, as an iPhone user, don't want my iPhone cracked open to all.
If Apple is forced to do this I hope they implement it as an option to the user when they setup their new device.
Just how many will say "no thanks" I predict to be the same as how many have also choosen "no" to "track me".
That's democracy.

 

[Caliber26]

I understand the need for secure app stores but shouldn’t we be able to install software as we please ? And I’m not speaking for pirated apps — that’s a whole other discussion.

Agreed. I love the App Store but I wouldn’t be opposed to having the option of installing apps that aren’t available/allowed in the App Store. If it’s acceptable for macOS it should be the same for iOS, and especially for iPadOS.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

I'm ok with that, as long as people who install alternative stores promise not to complain if anything goes wrong with these unverified apps.

I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic. 😅 To be clear: sure, I’ll promise!

I just want the option, on my own iPhone that I bought and paid for. Other people will decide to stick with the App Store for everything, and that’s great for them!

 

[steevn]

State with zero Apple store locations trying to regulate Apple products......

are they doing this with TV manufacturers also? You can’t install anything outside of their own store options either.

Don’t buy an iPhone if you don’t want to use the App Store.

 

[Realityck]

How do they think this can be done at the state level?

Interstate commerce remains the realm of the federal Government.

 

[CyberBob859]

Why doesn't anybody ask users what they want? I specifically chose the iPhone because it is locked down. If I want the ability to side-load, use secondary app stores, and alternative payment methods, I'll go to Android.

 

[imnotarobot]

If people can install whatever they want on their iPhone, Apple is under no requirement to support them in any way. You want your own App Store, you can write your own OS. If you install some horrific crap that steals all your money, you can't blame Apple. There is exactly zero way our apps will ever run on someone's insecure Apple environment. Our lawyers would never allow it. Write your own DakotaOS and do whatever you want.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

The consumers aren't asking for this but someone is driving it hard.

🖐 I’m asking for it! I’m a consumer!

 

[mi7chy]

You already have a choice on PC with Steam, GOG, Origin, Epic, etc. and it hasn't been an issue.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Since when is North Dakota the leader in digital innovation? I really hope to see this go somewhere, just as California's emission standards forced the auto industry forward, maybe the North Dakota digital innovation can force the tech giants forward.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

I specifically chose the iPhone because it is locked down. If I want the ability to side-load, use secondary app stores, and alternative payment methods, I'll go to Android.

How does other people having the option to sideload apps affect you in any way? Has the fact that iPhones can theoretically be Jailbroken ever changed your experience at all?

I might have bought an Android phone, but I'd think people here would understand there are many other advantages to iOS.

 

[reyesmac]

I just installed fortnite on an m1 mac last night and I saw first hand how bully tactics from the manufacturer can prefent developers from using their platform. Apples user base is too large to not tick off some law makers with their tactics or antics. If Apple can't settle matters fairly with its developers and resorts to locking them out if they get too big to make demands then its inevitable that someone outside the company will try to pass a law or file a case against this behavior. Apple brings this on themselves and I hope they can come up with a solution that benefits everyone more fairly. Apple Silicon Macs are becoming as locked down as the iOS devices are. All they need to do is remove rosetta and the Mac OS will become an extrememly walled garden. And they already pulled rosetta 1 from the Mac OS a long time ago so you know they could do it again. I say keep passing laws, Apple has enough lawyers to work out settlements that actually get the company to behave and avoid getting people upset to the point they think they need laws to get Apple to do something fair.

 

[4jasontv]

This would be a ND law correct? Apple doesn't have any ND stores, and it should be pretty easy to add language to the developer program that you are required to be familiar with and only operate in a state that is in accordance with the local and federal laws. Apps that are developed in ND won't be accepted and their developer accounts will be terminated. End Users in ND will be required to leave the state to get future updates and won't have access to the app store while in the geographic area of ND. Based on a 15% market share that would impact about 115k people.

Or they could give up billions in revenue.

Choices are hard.

 

[wlossw]

It's going to be super fun when residents of North Dakota can't buy iPhones anymore...

 

[LFC2020]

Leave the App Store alone, if your not happy with it, go use the google play store, plenty of malware and garbage over there.

Apple isn't forcing you to develop for iOS, if you don't like the terms they have in place the door is that way. ➡️🚪

Long live the walled garden. 🌹🌸🌷🌻

 

[Realityck]

Epic needs to move to North Dakota it seems.

 

[Yojimbo007]

“ Devastating fees “ ? Lol... the App Store has paved the path for millions of the developers to make more money than they would have ever dreamed of .... millions and in some cases billions of dollars!!!
On top it provides the piece of mind for those who choose to be on Apple’s secure walled garden platform! A distinguishing factor most of us are willing to pay a premium for!

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

I’m sick of these grandstanding political clueless people messing with something they just don’t understand....as a customer leave our iPhone alone. I buy Apple because of the privacy and security. Stop messing with a product that 1.5b people are extremely happy with!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple could remove the ability for people in ND to use the App Store.

 

[WestCoastCommodore]

Yeeeeeah, the Interstate Commerce Clause would like a word . . .

 

[bored]

"Apple does not allow apps to be installed on iOS devices outside of the ‌App Store‌ and there are no alternate app store options that are available."

Not exactly. Businesses can deploy internally-developed apps to their employees, if they have an Apple Developer Enterprise Program membership.