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

[ArtOfWarfare]

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."

Uh, no it doesn't. The bill requires that Apple allow developers to distribute apps outside the iOS App Store. It doesn't at all require that Apple allow any particular app in the iOS App Store. It's still Apple's store - they're free to control it how they want. They can comply with the law how they want - they could permit third party stores to be downloaded via their store - that gives Apple more control over how things work, as they could set up rules for those third party stores. Or they could just permit apps to be installed via the browser, the same as is done on macOS, another OS well known for its security.

 

[FWRLCK]

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.

This is fine so long as someone doesn't open a low cost app store that doesn't screen apps and only charges 5%, causing developers to flee there en masse, leaving the first party app stores devoid of content.

 

[Romeo_Nightfall]

If Apple is really about privacy and the iPhone we know it get over your greed and lower fees and payment restrictions massively.

I always opposed that Apple charges for the store. I always saw me as customer already paying the premium to have a phone with store (age) haha.

 

[ksnell]

Apple is honestly asking for this by banning apps like Parler as well as the ones used in Hong Kong protests. They manage just fine with software installations outside the app store for Macs. Why should this be any different?

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

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.

Right!..don’t buy an iPhone if u don’t like the product....simple stuff here people. You can buy an Android as easy as an iphone

 

[az431]

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.

Is that written into the US Constitution somewhere and I missed it? People should be free to enter into contracts, and not have the terms of those contracts dictated to them by the government.

 

[Carlanga]

“ 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!

You left me wondering, who made billions of dollars using the app store and its a small guy that never dreamed of earning billions?

---------
As for me, let us choose to install outside apps if you want, I don't see an issue. If you install one you do so at your own risk.

 

[az431]

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.

Maybe you should have read the article before posting.

 

[Romeo_Nightfall]

This is fine so long as someone doesn't open a low cost app store that doesn't screen apps and only charges 5%, causing developers to flee there en masse, leaving the first party app stores devoid of content.

yeah as a premium customer i will flee to a trash store.
according to you I should not buy Porsche and Gucci anymore but cheap trash.

 

[Dimwhit]

Can a single state even do that? What if Apple just says "fine, we won't do business in N. Dakota." What happens then? Doesn't seems like a state legislature should have the authority to change the global business practice of a company not even headquartered in their state.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

“ 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!

Absolutely correct. We don’t want the govt in any way shape or form messing with the iPhone...do u understand? Stay way of from the hardware and software. Stop messing with a beloved product

 

[_Spinn_]

If they are being fair this better apply to video game consoles as well. They are just as closed as iOS.

I actually like the concept of the app store. I know I can trust apps I download from the app store.

 

[NapoleonIV]

This is a really good thing. This would stop some of their monopolistic practices, which would be good for both consumers and developers. Apple allows registered developers to install their own software on their iPhones for testing purposes. Apple could simply release a version of iOS without all their security features, and users could install it at their peril.

 

[FWRLCK]

yeah as a premium customer i will flee to a trash store.
according to you I should not buy Porsche and Gucci anymore but cheap trash.

As a customer you may have little choice in the matter since it will be up to developers as to which app store they want to use. It's not guaranteed that developers will flee to the lower cost store, but it's also hard to see it as outside the realm of possibility.

 

[now i see it]

Apple Privacy Chief: North Dakota Bill 'Threatens to Destroy Our Profits as We Know Them'​

 

[coachgq]

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.

I think you should... When you build your own phone. I mean you do get to install your own aisle in Walmart to sell your goods don't you??? Oh wait...

 

[317342]

This is comedy. 🤡

So long as Android exists, there's a reasonable opportunity for Apple to say "there's a choice."

 

[nicolas_s]

I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic. So, 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.

No sarcasm here

But I kinda expect that if we give people that option, some will manage to mess up their devices and then will complain that the Apple ecosystem has become messy / confusing / unsafe.

I'm all for it as long as people know what are the risks and promise not to complain, so Apple won't waste any time dealing with these issues and can continue to fully focus on the App store for all of us that don't need to use an alternative store.

 

[mschmalenbach]

No one forces people to buy an iPhone - other smartphones are available.
If you do buy an iPhone, nobody forces you to buy apps or install free ones.

Given that our smartphones are incredibly personal devices in the way that a gaming machine isn't, I want - nay, demand - a higher level of security & privacy for a device so critical to me.

Given the scams & other things going on, and the fact that the Facebooks of this world are allegedly doing all they can to snoop every bit of personal info they can from us, I don't want a wild-west environment for apps and more paths for my phone to be vulnerable to.

My feeling is this ND bill should just Foxtrot Romeo Oscar!

 

[Appleman3546]

I guess Apple will have to protest the bill by shuddering the App Store in North Dakota (so that no app stores exist there) ....

 

[4jasontv]

Maybe you should have read the article before posting.

Does that sass come with an explanation? Last I checked ND Senate isn’t the same as the US Senate. I would assume that the best they can do is ask Apple to change or leave the state.

 

[IG88]

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.

Nobody is forcing you to use the hypothetical toggle that would unlock the ability to side load or use 3rd party app stores. Your phone / use case would be unaffected.

Do you tell truck manufacturers that you never use 4L so therefore they shouldn't put 4L in as an option for others?

 

[mschmalenbach]

I'm all for it as long as people know what are the risks and promise not to complain, so Apple won't waste any time dealing with these issues and can continue to fully focus on the App store for all of us that don't need to use an alternative store.

Yup - like that's going to happen - we all know somebody will complain and somebody will use it as an excuse for another vexatious law suit, sadly.

 

[Mousse]

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.

You can. It's called sideloading and requires you jailbreak your iPhone. If you want Apple to protect you, you need to stay inside their walled garden. Step outside the walls, don't expect Apple to come to your rescue. It's that simple.

As a guy who root every Android device I've got, I like my freedom.

 

[LogicalApex]

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

How would the Interstate Commerce Clause come into play here? Congress is allowed via the ICC to regulate commerce that crosses state borders, but intrastate commerce remains solely the realm of the states. ND couldn't tell Apple what to do in UT, but they could certainly tell them what to do in regards to ND.

There is nothing illegal about the laws in Mass regarding right to repair cars... No one manufacturers cars in Mass. Residents aren't required to purchase the cars in Mass for the state to gain power on regulating either.