Apple Shut Down All of Facebook's Internal Apps When Revoking Enterprise Certificate [Update: Fixed]

[ugahairydawgs]

This was the only reasonable action to take. With Facebook being the size company that it is you had to wonder if Apple would have the balls to actually pull the trigger.

Good on them for doing so.

 

[cmaier]

And you me. Lets just drop it and laugh at FaceBook!

Yes, that's more fun.

 

[jtara]

I think you have completely misunderstood what I said. I am saying that apple had to disable all facebook's enterprise certs and prevent them from obtaining new ones

You get them from Apple.

I think Apple has this.

 

[cmaier]

You get the from Apple.

I think Apple has this.

Huh? I get the what from Apple? Apple has what?

 

[Zwhaler]

All of the apps that used the certificate "simply don't launch on employees' phones anymore," and Facebook is said to be treating the issue as a critical problem internally.

After the certificate was revoked, Facebook this morning said that it would shut down its Facebook Research app, though the company defended it and claimed that those who participated went through a "clear on-boarding process." The Facebook Research app for Android continues to be available.

Hit em where it hurts! See, this makes companies notice. Same with fines of equal severity (looking at you, regulators...)

 

[coolfactor]

Explicitly spying on children. Is Zuck ever going to be held to account? Fines do nothing. Given the crystal clear picture of the criminal operation that Facebook is this guy should be in ****ing jail.

Tim too, for the tax evasion BS that is somehow “legal” (we really need to do something internationally about tax shelters/avoidance), but does it get any creepier and morally wrong than literally spying on children?

America’s beloved Oligarchs ladies and gentlemen...

Not sure your interpretation is accurate. They were paying young people... teens, not children... who were voluntarily installing this app in exchange for $20. They were not maliciously "spying on children". Your description definitely sounds creepy. Maybe read the article again to be sure?

 

[delauretau]

If they were smart they would have had two active enterprise distribution certificates. One for signing internal apps and one for signing external “research program” apps. That way when apple revoked their certificate, all there internal apps would not have been bomb’d. This argument is also invalid if apple revoked all certificates within their enterprise developer account.

 

[cmaier]

Not sure your interpretation is accurate. They were paying young people... teens, not children... who were voluntarily installing this app in exchange for $20. They were not maliciously "spying on children". Your description definitely sounds creepy. Maybe read the article again to be sure?

Teens are children. They can't legally enter into contracts, and as has been reported, parental consent was often obtained by merely a checkbox with no confirmation that any parent every consented to anything.
[doublepost=1548873847][/doublepost]

If they were smart they would have had two active enterprise distribution certificates. One for signing internal apps and one for signing external “research program” apps. That way when apple revoked their certificate, all there internal apps would not have been bomb’d. This argument is also invalid if apple revoked all certificates within their enterprise developer account.

They supposedly revoked them all.

 

[trparky]

I think this sums up my thoughts on the matter.

 

[delauretau]

If they were smart they would have had two active enterprise distribution certificates. One for signing internal apps and one for signing external “research program” apps. That way when apple revoked their certificate, all there internal apps would not have been bomb’d. This argument is also invalid if apple revoked all certificates within their enterprise developer account.

Based on a recent post from Gruber on DF, all certificates in their enterprise developer account were revoked, not just the one used to sign the research app. Ouch.

 

[sterlingindigo]

Again, Facebook? Ya scumbag.

 

[.Logan]

Despite Apple's shortcomings as of late, I do commend them for the value they put on their users' privacy. This may be the 'nuclear' option as some stated already, but I think it's appropriate given Facebook's actions. Thanks Apple for looking out for us!

 

[KPandian1]

Excellent!

FaceBook should be removed from App Store, along with Instagram.

While doing this, Apple, do remove Twitter also. Just for fun, or because you can.

Imagine the peace of mind the world will get from that one App gone!

 

[decafjava]

I'd like to see Facebook banned and ousted from the internet

Fixed that for you.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

May I introduce you to Google. I think you two need to chat.

Oh yeah that nasty Google who forced Apple to pocket $9 billion to be the default search engine in Safari last year and guess what! This year they have the nerve to force Apple to accept $12 billion to remain the default.

What b*****ds!!!
/s

https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/28/google-paying-apple-9-billion-default-seach-engine/

 

[confusedpurple]

It amazes me that people still can't see that Facebook is a parasite, virus, piece of malware and overall a pile of crap. People who still use it have absolutely nothing to complain about when their data next appears on some 3rd party list.

 

[rtomyj]

Oh yeah that nasty Google who forced Apple to pocket $9 billion to be the default search engine in Safari last year and guess what! This year they have the nerve to force Apple to accept $12 billion to remain the default.

What b*****ds!!!
/s

https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/28/google-paying-apple-9-billion-default-seach-engine/

No i know what you’re talking about. No link needed.

You know how simple it is to overcome this? Settings>Safari>Search Engine

But you right Apple getting paid makes Goog less evil. You win.

 

[confusedpurple]

May I introduce you to Google. I think you two need to chat.

Could you point me in the direction of the information about Google going around Apples poicies to take data please.

Google isn't a saint, but next to Facebook they certainly look that way. Google is slowly moving their income stream away from customer data trend advertising and over to services (Google Cloud, GSuite and other Enterprise stuff). Facebook meanwhile is owning the malware category.

 

[mi7chy]

Strategically released to distract from the FaceTime privacy breach. Even though Facebook's app is opt-in like Apple health data sharing opt-in, Apple is coming out ahead in the PR spin.

Apple 1
Facebook 0

 

[decafjava]

That's an interesting abuse of power on Apple's part...

I think if I were Facebook, I'd probably retaliate by targeting iOS users. Give them all ads telling them to trade in their iOS devices for Android devices, and throw in $200 or so to sweeten the deal.

Maybe Facebook can finally get Apple to knock down the wall around their garden.

Hi Mark.

 

[cmaier]

Turns out Google does the same thing. Stay tuned for the announcement that their enterprise certs have also been pulled.

 

[B4U]

Apple, while you are at it, make sure to give them hell about merging the backend of Whatsapp and Failbook.

 

[Geeky Chimp]

So, this week; Facebook pay users for data, where a user has installed an app, just that Apple didn’t approve and they circumvented that with a misuse of a certificate. Apple let anyone who knows my cell number access my camera and mic ... I don’t think this week is the one for Apple to play high and mighty with Privacy. Both companies got caught out this week!

 

[archer75]

So, this week; Facebook pay users for data, where a user has installed an app, just that Apple didn’t approve and they circumvented that with a misuse of a certificate. Apple let anyone who knows my cell number access my camera and mic ... I don’t think this week is the one for Apple to play high and mighty with Privacy. Both companies got caught out this week!

facebook didn't disclose to the users what they were doing. And it's not the first time facebook as done things like this. Or used your data to target you with ads aimed at manipulating the way you think to get you to vote a certain way. Companies pay them to do that and your data helps them.

 

[bozzykid]

Good. Now Apple should pull their apps from the App Store until they have a written assurance from Facebook that their developer program privileges won't be abused again.

Facebook already agreed to a terms of service. Apple doesn't need any other written assurance from Facebook. Any other company would of been banned already. Given the scope of Facebook, Apple will obviously treat them differently.