Australian Watchdog Wants iOS Users to Have More Control Over Preinstalled Apps

[MacRumors]

In an report related to its ongoing investigation into Apple and Google app marketplace dominance, Australia's consumer watchdog has warned both companies that it wants consumers to have more choice when it comes to preinstalled apps on Apple and Android devices (via ZDNet).

Specifically, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) wants Apple and Google to give users more control over the default apps in their respective mobile operating systems.

"There is a need for consumers to have more choice through an ability to change any preinstalled default app on their device that is not a core phone feature," the ACC said. "This would provide consumers with more control to choose the app that best meets their needs, and promote more robust competition in downstream markets for apps."

Apple already allows iOS users to choose third-party mail and web browsing apps over its native Mail client and Safari browser, but the ACCC wants to see the same level of choice applied to all pre-installed apps.

One of a number of proposed changes is the introduction of "choice screens" that allow consumers to choose between all first-party apps and third-party alternatives. The proposal is reminiscent of the prompt that iOS users in Russia see when first configuring a device to pre-install apps from a list of government-approved software.

Other proposals include the ability for developers to inform users of alternative payment options, and a means of preventing Apple and Google from using information collected about third-party apps to advantage their own competing apps. The watchdog warned the tech giants that regulation could be required if the concerns are not addressed.

The comments in the 165-page interim report are consistent with previous remarks made by the commission, which believes that Apple and Google hold a dominant position as app distributors which could be exploited by preferencing their own apps and payment platforms over third-party alternatives.

The report notes that outside of China, Android OS and Apple's iOS account for close to 100% of the market for mobile operating systems, with Google commanding 73% and Apple accounting for 27% of the market. In Australia, the split is more like 50/50.

"Apple and Google's dominance in mobile OS, combined with the control exerted over the app marketplaces permitted into their mobile ecosystems, means that the App Store and the Play Store control the key gateways through which app developers can access consumers on mobile devices," says the report.

The ACCC in March began assessing the basis for a formal probe into pre-installed software and pre-defined "default" choices on mobile devices, including Google being set as the default search engine on Apple devices. The app store report is just the latest development in the ACCC's ongoing Digital Platform Services Inquiry.

Article Link: Australian Watchdog Wants iOS Users to Have More Control Over Preinstalled Apps

 

[jsmith189]

I understand not wanting to allow third-party apps to be pre-installed, but this feels like complaining just for the sake of complaining. Australia, you're bored.

 

[Steve121178]

Please no more "choice screens". Anyone who lives in the EU will know how damn annoying that was when it came to browser selection on Windows.

Then there's the constant cookie warnings websites must display at every new visit here in Europe.

I don't want politicians to make our devices annoying to use. Stay out! People can easily select a browser or map app of their choice.

 

[Steve121178]

I understand not wanting to allow third-party apps to be pre-installed, but this feels like complaining just for the sake of complaining. Australia, you're bored.

You'd think they'd have more pressing things to be getting on with, wouldn't you?

 

[UBS28]

Who cares? Smartphones have enough storage these days for those “pre-installed” apps.

 

[pauloregan]

I am in favour of choice and control so I approve of this.

 

[jsmith189]

Then there's the constant cookie warnings websites must display at every new visit here in Europe.

Same in AU. The worst.

I understand the need to allow competition and to not completely monopolise everything. But, I don't want my entire OS bogged down with "ARE YOU SURE" ... "DO YOU WANT" ... "HOW ABOUT YOU USE" ... "HEY DID YOU KNOW" - like stop it. Just go to the App Store and go for your life.

 

[ruka.snow]

This would be great, it might even discourage Apple from having ads for Arcade, Music, and TV in their OS when people go and remove music and replace it with a simple music player that just plays music.

 

[The Phazer]

Great. It would also be good for Apple in the long run. It would unquestionably be good for consumers and minorities in the long run, given how discriminatory the App Store terms are.

App Stores are evil. Criminalise them.

 

[ikir]

Nosense. Apple gave incredible free apps preinstalled, we want a Mac, iPhone, iPad to be ready for work and be creative. This is one of the things made Macs great. If people are so stupid to don't know how to download an app and delete a preinstalled app they will not understand a choice screen.

 

[Wildkraut]

HAHAHAHAH what a good week. Like it!
Apple will face multiple kicks in the junk around the globe, told ya.

 

[Krizoitz]

One of a number of proposed changes is the introduction of "choice screens" that allow consumers to choose between all first-party apps and third-party alternatives.

Congratulations, it now takes you a week to set up your new phone as you have to scroll through a seemingly endless list of apps for each function.

 

[mazz0]

Please no more "choice screens". Anyone who lives in the EU will know how damn annoying that was when it came to browser selection on Windows.

That thing that came up once when you set up a computer then never bothered you again and was therefore the most minor annoyance something could possibly be?

 

[Krizoitz]

It would unquestionably be good for consumers and minorities in the long run

Minorities?! LOL How in the world is the AppStore bad for minorities?! I thought I’d seen the most ridiculous anti-Apple argument but congratulations sir/madam, you have managed to surprise me.

App Stores are evil. Criminalise them.

Evil? Wow, you have a very broad definition of that word. Next up your like to criminalize grocery stores I presume? I mean why should THEY get to decide what products they sell! Anyone should be anle to sell their products anywhere anytime they want right? Tomorrow I’m setting up shop in your home. Oh and you aren’t allowed to charge me rent. In Phazers world no one has any rights! Weeeee

 

[LFC2020]

I'd like the Australian watchdog to get us cheaper pricing on apple products, instead of wasting their time on this garbage.

 

[ian87w]

Seems misleading. The problem, especially on Android, is the presence of preinstalled apps that users don’t want, and they cannot be uninstalled. Imo this is the issue that should be tackled first. Afterwards, then we can talk about what apps that I want to use.

 

[CarpalMac]

Please no more "choice screens". Anyone who lives in the EU will know how damn annoying that was when it came to browser selection on Windows.

Then there's the constant cookie warnings websites must display at every new visit here in Europe.

I don't want politicians to make our devices annoying to use. Stay out! People can easily select a browser or map app of their choice.

The choice thing I can live with.

That damn cookie thing though, arrrrrrrrrrghhh!!!!

 

[Asbow]

Please no more "choice screens". Anyone who lives in the EU will know how damn annoying that was when it came to browser selection on Windows.

Then there's the constant cookie warnings websites must display at every new visit here in Europe.

I don't want politicians to make our devices annoying to use. Stay out! People can easily select a browser or map app of their choice.

Cookie warnings are without doubt the most annoying thing about the web. I understand the privacy aspect but even the sites I visit constantly ask.

 

[Wildkraut]

Congratulations, it now takes you a week to set up your new phone as you have to scroll through a seemingly endless list of apps for each function.

Having a choice is always good.
If you have multiple Apps for a file type, you CAN select the preferred one, or simply leave the default one.
Currently, you can't select at all.

It works wonderfully everywhere else.
I never had any issues with other OS's like "Linux, FreeBSD, Windows, macOS, Android" that simply gives you that choice.

Go ahead AU!

Few threads ago it was...
...UK sucks...
...Germany sucks...
...France sucks...
...Russia sucks...
...whole EU sucks...
...Now it's AU sucks...
Whats next? US sucks, and the whole World sucks?

Apple shall build a rocket, and find a new planet where they are allowed to act like *******s and exploit FanBoys.

 

[Steve121178]

That thing that came up once when you set up a computer then never bothered you again and was therefore the most minor annoyance something could possible be?

Not when you deploy 100's of PC's a week, as I was doing then. It took months and months for a GPO to become available to block it.

 

[Wildkraut]

Not when you deploy 100's of PC's a week, as I was doing then. It took months and months for a GPO to become available to block it.

Was no issue for the company I worked for by that time.
You could simply write a few registry keys over a script while deploying it.
Something any skilled student could have done.

 

[LFC2020]

That damn cookie thing though, arrrrrrrrrrghhh!!!!

????

Craving some choc chip cookies now lol.

 

[Wildkraut]

The choice thing I can live with.

That damn cookie thing though, arrrrrrrrrrghhh!!!!

Well, sadly the rule is defined a bit loose, and allows site owners you build nagging requests that tries to convince you to allow them all.
They shall redefine it a bit more strict.
There are sites (can't name any out of memory) that build it right, in a non-disturbing way.

 

[femike]

What's the point of this?
What I really would like from Apple is that updates to their apps is not dependant on iOS system updates (I know there are exceptions), much like Google Android apps are. I'm still updating apps on my Android 5 phone, and also there are other reasons too. I don't if its a technical issue or they choose not to so as to encourage people to buy a new iphones, or if it's something inbetween,

 

[mazz0]

Not when you deploy 100's of PC's a week, as I was doing then. It took months and months for a GPO to become available to block it.

I thought there were admin tools for that - don't you make the choice once, along with lots of other configuration, save it in an image, then deploy that?

I believe the same sort of tooling exists for iOS nowadays so you'd have the same ability if you were deploying lots of iPhones.