Apple Rejecting Coronavirus Apps Not From Health or Government Organizations

[recoil80]

Are you saying that the CDC should be the only source for US data?

What do you suggest for the other 194 countries in the world? The equivalent government arms in each country?

Apple is not blocking web sites. Apps for corona virus are likely a wrapper of a mobile web site, so if the app is blocked you can still see the site and read the same information, and you can even add it to your springboard and treat it like an app if you like.
Some apps may be useful, but others may be scam. Apple cannot have a full control on each one of them, that's why I think the safe decision is to reject any app that doesn't come from a government. As I said, you can still browse the site if you want to

 

[felixculpa]

Epoch Times is trusted? Fǎlún Gōng?

 

[Elitegate]

Don’t need an app anyway. There’s loads of information out there. Like this web map of infected countries for example.

Yes. I use it all the time. I just don't know if the data is that accurate or not.

 

[Seanm87]

Good to see these companies getting on top of the fake news. There are a lot of very gullible people out there that lap up all info without ever questioning it. Fake news can be more dangerous than a lot of people realise, especially if it whips people up into a panic.

 

[Winni]

right choice, need data from a single source ... in and for the US: CDC

If you want a single source, then it should be the only valid global one: WHO.

 

[smirking]

Nothing to see here, folks.

That does look terrible on the part of the CDC, but I don't think it's indicates a cover-up. It does indicate that they've completely fumbled this response though.

Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. I don't think we've moved beyond that rationale yet... uh, yet.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

Safari on my iPhone has been working flawlessly throughout this entire thing. If the only way you can access information on your phone is through a downloaded app, you’re a dum dum.

But I agree with Apple. We don’t need fly-by-night crappy apps stoking fires and clogging up search results.

 

[212rikanmofo]

I wouldn't trust CDC just like I don't trust WHO.

 

[1345873]

Hat-tip to Apple and Tim Cook on this one!

Like Apple/Tim can be trusted being truthfully, how do we know apple isn’t blocking trustworthy apps now? So apple is determining what’s good or bad? Perhaps he can split all information on political preference, ideology or religion?

no thanks Tim, if I want censoring I’d move to Russia or China where you already cooperate in these schemes. Now in the us also?

I determine who to trust, does not need appleTim to do it for me.
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Some go on "hunches." 😒

Sorry, if anyone knows, I do. I might even be the most knowledgeable about the subject, if you know me then that’s true. You can ask anybody.
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I wouldn't trust CDC just like I don't trust WHO.

So vote next time you can and make it count and accountable. Better start a career in politics.

 

[glowplug]

Wait, so Bluetooth can’t detect Coronavirus??

 

[1146331]

Ah yes, nothing like the big moral Apple protecting its idiot users from misinformation, because they aren't biased in any way, no siree Bob.

Freedom of speech and the sharing of information just keeps taking a hit because private companies are all to willing to only allow information they like [even if it's incorrect] and those same companies that say you can't trust the government say that only the government can reliably spread certain information.

But Tim is all to happy to take marching orders from China under the guise of "only government is infallible and has proper info". Yep, them and other health organizations are never wrong, right? They would never try to squelch information because it would make them look bad.

 

[Romeo_Nightfall]

Good. No one trying to make a quick buck.

it’s the foundation of the Murica making a quick Buck, so why not in the digital age?
Apple makes often quick bucks selling inferior devices, who bans them? IPhone 6 was such a device!

 

[Marco0107]

This is pure censorship. I get why Apple is rejecting the apps, and I understand their reasons, but ultimately I am the final decision on what I choose to download. Let me decide.

 

[ksnell]

To all those saying it is good, would you also be okay if your government attempted this across the entire internet? Let app reviews weed out the scams. This is censorship.

 

[TakeshimaIslands]

To all those saying it is good, would you also be okay if your government attempted this across the entire internet? Let app reviews weed out the scams. This is censorship.

I agree about blocking outright scams and fakenews hysteria but the corona map apps are not scams or fake news. Not a good move by apple.

The hypocrisy from apple is amazing, you can search and download unofficial totally fakenews scam hysteria apps like Japan Fukushima radiation meters and non working Geiger counter apps but non-government sanctioned coronavirus outbreak mapping apps are censored..?


I assume apple are doing this to satisfy china's censorship demands to 'sinowash' the outbreak retroactively removing any references to wuhan or china.

 

[citysnaps]

Like Apple/Tim can be trusted being truthfully, how do we know apple isn’t blocking trustworthy apps now? So apple is determining what’s good or bad? Perhaps he can split all information on political preference, ideology or religion?

no thanks Tim, if I want censoring I’d move to Russia or China where you already cooperate in these schemes. Now in the us also?

I determine who to trust, does not need appleTim to do it for me.

Whoa! Such drama! That made me giggle.

"Like Apple/Tim can be trusted being truthfully, how do we know apple isn’t blocking trustworthy apps now?"

We? How do you know Apple is? Do you use any apps or websites for any purpose from any other company? How do you know something nefarious isn't going on right now with any app or website you might use from any company that you assume is trustworthy?

 

[1345873]

Whoa! Such drama! That made me giggle.

"Like Apple/Tim can be trusted being truthfully,how do we know apple isn’t blocking trustworthy apps now?"

We? How do you know Apple is? Do you use any apps or websites for any purpose from any other company? How do you know something nefarious isn't going on right now with any app or website you might use from any company that you assume is trustworthy?

Answer the question, I’ll repeat ‘how do we know apple isn’t blocking trustworthy apps now?’

we:the iOS users
do you...company?: yes
How do.. trustworthy?: check origin, cross check, known sources, not you..
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Wait, so Bluetooth can’t detect Coronavirus??

I do not need BT to detect my Corona, preferably with a slice of lemon.
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Safari on my iPhone has been working flawlessly throughout this entire thing. If the only way you can access information on your phone is through a downloaded app, you’re a dum dum.

But I agree with Apple. We don’t need fly-by-night crappy apps stoking fires and clogging up search results.

But.. are they ‘stoking fires and clogging up search results’? How do you know this?

 

[FrozenDarkness]

It's odd to me that people are reading this as Apple is determining what's good and what's bad. What this reads to me is that Apple literally has no expertise or knowledge of what app is trustworthy or not. But the danger of letting a bad app onto the store is so high that Apple would rather take an uber conservative approach.

This does not mean that all the developers apple reject are bad or that apple thinks they're bad. Just in this situation, Apple can't take chances.

 

[citysnaps]

Answer the question, I’ll repeat ‘how do we know apple isn’t blocking trustworthy apps now?’

we:the iOS users
do you...company?: yes
How do.. trustworthy?: check origin, cross check, known sources, not you..

Here's the issue. You're likely a medical doctor or perhaps an epidemiologist, and with that training and experience, are well-qualified to assess apps from unknown sources with respect to providing accurate and sound information regarding coronavirus. Or, if you're not a medical doctor or epidemiologist, still believe that you are qualified - and that's OK.

Apple as a tech company (rather than a respected research-driven health organization), on the other hand, recognizes they are not qualified in making error-free assessments regarding submitted apps providing accurate science-based coronavirus information.

And, since Apple is not qualified making such assessments, rather than taking a chance letting bad and harmful information being given to their customers, has decided to block such apps altogether. And will only permit apps provided by known and respected health organizations and recognized institutions, who typically engage in science-based peer-reviewed research.

The good news is, since you are well-qualified to assess science-based coronavirus information, you merely need to google and judge the information you need.

 

[simonmet]

If an individual makes an app that only uses government or recognised health institution data and does it in a responsible way, I really can’t see the problem with that. Apple seems to be penalising all independent developers because of the actions of a few; because that’s just easier I guess.

Plus, it’s not like governments never release misinformation.

 

[PC_tech]

To all those saying it is good, would you also be okay if your government attempted this across the entire internet? Let app reviews weed out the scams. This is censorship.

They are ok with it because..... Apple.

 

[citysnaps]

If an individual makes an app that only uses government or recognised health institution data and does it in a responsible way, I really can’t see the problem with that. Apple seems to be penalising all independent developers because of the actions of a few; because that’s just easier I guess.

Plus, it’s not like governments never release misinformation.

How would Apple, not being qualified to assess information relating to coronavirus, determine if an unknown individual app developer only uses government institution data in a responsible manner (ie not drawing inferences, conclusions, making recommendations, etc)? How much time should Apple put into making such determinations for each individual wanting to do that.

Also... how often should Apple check that each individual continues to comply and act responsibly going forward?

Because the stakes are so high should bad information be released to the public, I suspect Apple is concerned about being liable for blessing and approving apps from unknown individuals that could cause harm to others.

 

[Baymowe335]

it’s the foundation of the Murica making a quick Buck, so why not in the digital age?
Apple makes often quick bucks selling inferior devices, who bans them? IPhone 6 was such a device!

No it wasn’t.

 

[1345873]

Here's the issue. You're likely a medical doctor or perhaps an epidemiologist, and with that training and experience, are well-qualified to assess apps from unknown sources with respect to providing accurate and sound information regarding coronavirus. Or, if you're not a medical doctor or epidemiologist, still believe that you are qualified - and that's OK.

Apple as a tech company (rather than a respected research-driven health organization), on the other hand, recognizes they are not qualified in making error-free assessments regarding submitted apps providing accurate science-based coronavirus information.

And, since Apple is not qualified making such assessments, rather than taking a chance letting bad and harmful information being given to their customers, has decided to block such apps altogether. And will only permit apps provided by known and respected health organizations and recognized institutions, who typically engage in science-based peer-reviewed research.

The good news is, since you are well-qualified to assess science-based coronavirus information, you merely need to google and judge the information you need.

Love the deduction-skills, but you are still not answering the question.. let me try: you (and I) don’t know, therefore this is censoring and with that manipulating your/mine information. Now we might miss a perhaps brilliant solution from a less well known (non)scientist.
Stopping information is no solution, learning to asses it is..

 

[1345873]

I wouldn't trust CDC just like I don't trust WHO.

Be more specific, why don’t you trust them? A hunch, a feeling, experience, something objective?