Apple's Decision to Disable Web Apps Attracts Scrutiny in EU

[TMRJIJ]

If I was on Apple’s board of directors, I would absolutely be that ******* that pushes the idea of leaving the EU market completely 😂

 

[spazzcat]

Wild how Android has had progressive web apps AND third-party browsers for all these years, and yet there doesn't seem to be a streak of people getting hacked via PWAs on there.

Well, if you built the functionality to work with different browsers, it will work with different browsers. Apple has always only had to support Webkit-based browsers. This most likely requires major rework for Apple.

 

[rorschach]

This is now the EU dictating what features must be developed instead of simply “leveling the playing field” between what Apple allows for itself and what it allows for third parties. If Apple doesn’t have access to this functionality then the feature simply doesn’t exist on iOS in the EU. It would be different if Apple apps like Safari could “install” PWAs but they can’t.

People insisted this wouldn’t happen.

 

[jvchappy]

Apple clearly stated that when they announced this change, it would take significant resources to fix the security vulnerabilities in that stack, and only a tiny percentage of users utilize that feature. Why should Apple be forced to spend substantial time and effort on a product feature? Government should not be able to dictate this.

 

[erikkfi]

Shocker. Apple, just tell them to go **** themselves and leave already.

I really want to hear the earnings call after that decision. "As you know, because the European Union decided to exercise their right to regulate commerce, we abandoned that entire market, resulting in a sales and profit drop of about 20% across the board and leading to our lowest overall sales volume since 2013."

Take that, EU!

 

[TMRJIJ]

I really want to hear the earnings call after that decision. "As you know, because the European Union decided to exercise their right to regulate commerce, we abandoned that entire market, resulting in a sales and profit drop of about 20% across the board and leading to our lowest overall sales volume since 2013."

Take that, EU!

Black Market sales would be booming though. Scalpers all over the EU will be like...

 

[iGeneo]

A MacRumors survey on who uses PWA's was my first thought... We all know the number is just a very small fraction, but of course here we would get the torch carriers skewing the numbers

 

[antiprotest]

But can the EU force Apple to continue PWA? What would be the legal basis?

 

[WB2Colorado]

Apple has always held back PWAs and is slow or refuses to adopt standards that make them act more like regular apps. It took until last year with iOS 16.2 for Apple to add the ability for PWAs to send notifications.

I'm sure that people here will say that they did this in the name of security or some other lame excuse, but the fact of the matter is Apple doesn't want PWAs to succeed because it would mean less App Store revenue for them.

 

[TigerNike23]

But can the EU force Apple to continue PWA? What would be the legal basis?

I don’t think they can, legally right now.

But they can come up with a standard and those who meet this standard will have to support PWAs.

 

[d686546s]

Everybody just take a deep breath and relax. Regulators asking for more information is a standard process. Absolutely no decisions have been taken and the outcome of this process is entirely open.

 

[NT1440]

What the EU is doing here, whether they realize it or not (most likely not), is telling Apple to engineer a new framework for this purpose…when Apple’s own data shows that iOS user barely use this feature to begin with.

I’m sure Apple is already working on it, but (as an IT guy) this “wave a magic wand” ******** is infuriating.

What’s the EU’s recommended way to ensure malicious web engines don’t circumvent iOS security protections? Oh that right, none of that is even considered because technical reason be damned, this is clearly just malicious activity by Apple 🙄

 

[vipergts2207]

Apple's fixing to get another deserved smack again.

 

[MilaM]

I just recently started using PWAs for apps hosted on my home-network. It's really sad Apple decided to cut this feature.

Could there possibly be a workaround by using Shortcuts to launch websites in 3rd-party browsers from the homescreen?

 

[d686546s]

What the EU is doing here, whether they realize it or not (most likely not), is telling Apple to engineer a new framework for this purpose…when Apple’s own data shows that iOS user barely use this feature to begin with.

I’m sure Apple is already working on it, but (as an IT guy) this “wave a magic wand” ******** is infuriating.

What’s the EU’s recommended way to ensure malicious web engines don’t circumvent iOS security protections? Oh that right, none of that is even considered because technical reason be damned, this is clearly just malicious activity by Apple 🙄

Where does it say any of that?

They are looking at compliance with the DMA. Therefore they have sent requests for information, which could lead to a more in-depth probe. At the end of that, there may be something that sets out additional mitigations to ensure compliance, but we don't know what that would say, what the timeline might be or if it, in fact, even found any issues with Apple's implementation of PWAs.

They have asked for more information. That's it for the moment.

 

[vipergts2207]

In other news... EU has issue with Apple calling itself Apple. Fines probable.

That avatar...

Tim, is that you?

 

[vipergts2207]

This is now the EU dictating what features must be developed instead of simply “leveling the playing field” between what Apple allows for itself and what it allows for third parties. If Apple doesn’t have access to this functionality then the feature simply doesn’t exist on iOS in the EU. It would be different if Apple apps like Safari could “install” PWAs but they can’t.

People insisted this wouldn’t happen.

This isn't about development, as the already-developed feature exists elsewhere. This feature existed in the EU previously and still does in the U.S.

 

[AlexESP]

These regulations try to strike a balance between consumer interests and big-tech interests. IMO big tech has become much too powerful, and consumers as well as small companies have almost no leverage against the moats they have built up. This is a cost already being payed by consumers. Therefore I’m for any measures that create a more level playing field and that put users more in control.

“Customer interests” is not a single thing. People think in different ways. I’m a customer, and these regulations go against me. It seems like Apple had achieved a great balance for hundreds of millions of people, and these regulations go against that.

 

[spazzcat]

I just recently started using PWAs for apps hosted on my home-network. It's really sad Apple decided to cut this feature.

Could there possibly be a workaround by using Shortcuts to launch websites in 3rd-party browsers from the homescreen?

Do you live in the EU?

 

[BuffyzDead]

I know it won't happen because, most likely, it does not make business sense for Apple to do so.

But I really really hope and pray that Apple simply says "ENOUGH!!"

And they pull the iPhone OUT of the EU countries, ....seriously !!

What will the EU, and users in the EU, do ??

Sue Apple, because they HAVE TO be forced to sell the iPhone in the EU ?

Will EU users be forced to "choose" Android phones ?? ...a choice they've always had, to this very moment.
Talk about inflicting some real inconvenience on those EU users,
if Apple said go eff yourselves, and buy Android !!!

P.S.
And of course, the black market for iPhones would be huge BUT at least Apple can manufacture the iPhone they deem, with the software and functionality they deem, and the EU users would again have the choice they have always had;

Dozens of different manufacturers using Android, or Black market iPhone, but with an iPhone as it was intended, to be manufactured and delivered by Apple

 

[1129846]

I personally saw this one coming a mile away. If this was the only one Apple did it on the security defensnce might work. Problem is Apple is also doing malicious compliance on the 3rd party App stores to the point that even Apple knows it is way over prices and never going to happen.
Added everything up Apple security excuse is pretty thin and this looks more like just trying to break things on purpose.

 

[Jim Lahey]

They will never stop. Endgame is to wrestle so much power that they can take control of encryption. It's not even a secret and yet people are still clapping like circus seals for ever more state regulation from Big Brother.

Tick tock.

 

[kcirtap00]

This will never happen, but US companies should just leave the EU at this point and let them try innovating on their own for a few years. The level at which these people are ok with government oversight is extremely disturbing.

 

[MilaM]

And of course, the black market for iPhones would be huge BUT at least Apple can manufacture the iPhone they deem, with the software and functionality they deem, and the EU users would again have the choice they have always had;

The EU has an issue with the App Store, not the the hardware. So how would you use a black market iPhone when you can't access the App Store? It would not be very appealing, would it?

 

[applepotato666]

Regulations always come at a cost to consumers. The question is always: is the cost worth it?

At the end of the day it doesn't matter when said cost gets high enough that customers are not buying your thing. Apple devices are overpriced enough and then some more already, especially in Europe.