Leaked EU Document Could Spell Major Changes for App Store, Messages, FaceTime, Browsers, and Siri

[Sf844]

Hopefully under Cooks tenure while he’s still CEO, (likely before he retires in the next 48 months if his trajectory is correct), he can pull Apple out of the EU as well.

Oh boy!

Where are they going to buy their hardware then? Must be terrified!

Ah! Maybe the same places as Apple: Samsung, LG… ?

Imagine, the US worsening its trade balance vs the EU even more.

 

[Wildkraut]

The UK wasn’t going to abandon the Pound, accept further integration, common debt or military, a federal union, so there was no point, really.

Both the EU and the UK are better as separate entities. The EU is an ongoing federal project and the UK is the opposite case: an exceptionalist country.

Even though the cause may have been what you mention, the outcome was a matter of time.

At the end of the day the UK isn’t going to lose much if at all and the EU is going to advance much more unobstructed.

I hope your right and the UK don’t run on ground somehow…

 

[Wildkraut]

Absolute nonsense. It's not the UK that is being manipulated by Russia.

Perhaps your attention would be better aimed at stopping the EU from continued financing of the war in Ukraine by being so dependent on Russian energy. You may have a little Ukrainian flag in your profile, but I have a Ukrainian wife and we know the price Germany's actions.

Crooks exist in every country, even in the Ukraine, Germany is no exception, you won’t hurt me with anti Germany statements, I’m not a patriot.

Do you really think that an instant boycott would help the Ukraine, that’s what i call utter nonsense. The weapons exist already, Putin has the money to build more, and over 70% of the Russians stand behind their president, they are uber patriots. They will continue this war for the sake of success, regardless of what it costs, regardless of any sanctions or any boycott we place, and regardless of how many lifes vanishes.

 

[Sf844]

Absolute nonsense. It's not the UK that is being manipulated by Russia.

Perhaps your attention would be better aimed at stopping the EU from continued financing of the war in Ukraine by being so dependent on Russian energy. You may have a little Ukrainian flag in your profile, but I have a Ukrainian wife and we know the price Germany's actions.

If you have a Ukranian wife maybe you’re more knowledgeable than average.

So maybe you know that Ukraine is a carbon copy of Russia from an ideological perspective: minorities’ rights, religious freedom, women’s rights and so on.

Not only that but it is one of China’s main arms suppliers and a key member of China’s belt and road initiative.

But not only that, it integrated the ultra right wing azov movement into its own military. This is akin to the Proud Boys running the Marine Corps.

But not only that, it was the biggest hub for illegal weapons dealing in Europe, they had ultranationalist paramilitary camps for children and teens, and so on and so forth…

What I’m saying is that if it weren’t for crushing Russia (always deserved), the EU wouldn’t touch Ukraine with a 20ft pole.

So let’s be realistic here.

They’re very good at social media though. Even better than the Russians.

 

[thekeyring]

They have a monopoly on software distribution on iOS -- that is the issue

It’s interesting. I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I find it interesting how we’ll define monopoly going forward.

Does Microsoft have a monopoly on Xbox games?

Does Netflix have a monopoly on Netflix content?

 

[No5tromo]

Out of this polarising comment mess I take that there are tons of people who like a corp having absolute control over their tech. 20+ years ago it would have been insignificant since our daily tasks and activities weren't as reliant on tech but today it is a different story. I agree with criticism which says that this could end up in an over-regulating mess but I don't understand people who dismiss this conversation altogether.

 

[ashleykaryl]

If you have a Ukranian wife maybe you’re more knowledgeable than average.

So maybe you know that Ukraine is a carbon copy of Russia from an ideological perspective: minorities’ rights, religious freedom, women’s rights and so on.

Not only that but it is one of China’s main arms suppliers and a key member of China’s belt and road initiative.

But not only that, it integrated the ultra right wing azov movement into its own military. This is akin to the Proud Boys running the Marine Corps.

But not only that, it was the biggest hub for illegal weapons dealing in Europe, they had ultranationalist paramilitary camps for children and teens, and so on and so forth…

What I’m saying is that if it weren’t for crushing Russia (always deserved), the EU wouldn’t touch Ukraine with a 20ft pole.

So let’s be realistic here.

They’re very good at social media though. Even better than the Russians.

Were you really expecting Ukraine to be a perfect country after living so long under the boot of the Soviet Union? You know about Holodomor? Ukraine gave up the nuclear weapons when the Soviet Union fell and gave them back to Russia. You see what good that did them.

 

[ashleykaryl]

Do you really think that an instant boycott would help the Ukraine, that’s what i call utter nonsense. The weapons exist already, Putin has the money to build more, and over 70% of the Russians stand behind their president, they are uber patriots. They will continue this war for the sake of success, regardless of what it costs, regardless of any sanctions or any boycott we place, and regardless of how many lifes vanishes.

Obviously Russia already had the money. The EU has been buying their energy for years. They didn't just start in February.

 

[Wildkraut]

Obviously Russia already had the money. The EU has been buying their energy for years. They didn't just start in February.

I think that's the wrong thread to discuss this.
You are right, just fixed my signature..

 

[ashleykaryl]

I think that's the wrong thread to discuss this.

You were saying that the UK had been fooled by Russians manipulations into voting for Brexit. This was not true. We saw the EU clearly.

 

[Nuno Lopes]

@Wildkraut,

It seams that some Americans believe that the EU is some kind a threat to their ways. Talking about dismantling and all … crazy stuff … going on here. I have little doupt that brexit was influenced by the US in this path … Trump and all who seam to think that Putin was better friends than the EU… even the Ukraine current situation … it weakens the EU. Why? … well second greatest economy that is.

The thing is the EU sets their policies like the US … even Apple. When people not be able to distinguish who are our friends or who aren’t … things start going bzerk.

Al it took is Apple here for these feelings of animosity to start happening amongst some Americans. Crazy, crazy stuff.

Don’t spend time talking with that guy. There is something weird in his prose. “hate” speech … Peace.

PS: I say … some Americans.

 

[M3gatron]

Massive government overreach. Play hardball Apple and threaten to pull out of the EU. They need you more than you need them.

It's funny that US apple fans believe a "I will pull out of the EU market" threat would work.
And why would EU need Apple more?
If Apple pulls out of EU they would lose a 500 million people market and no way to make up for it. I guess it's a small thing.

 

[M3gatron]

They're of the opinion that no American company should ever have a competitive advantage. If Apple were German or French, none of this would ever have come up.

Not true at all, quite a few European companie were finned because of uncompetitive behavior, they don't really get any special treatment.
Also if you look at the proposed legislation it's not made especially for Apple in any way, actually apple won't be very affected as iMessage in Europe is hardly used, most people use WhatsApp and Facebook messenger.

 

[M3gatron]

They wouldn't actually have to pull out. Its called a threat. All the EU Apple users would revolt on the lawmakers causing them to reconsider this harmful and stupid law.

EU Apple users could just as well revolt against Apple for threatening to abandon them instead of following the law. I honestly think this is most likely to happen.

 

[M3gatron]

Then watch EU citizens actually wake up and realize their out of control governing body that does whatever it wants is not acting in anyones best interest at all.

Not acting in Apple's best interest you want to say.
It's funny how so many users think EU citizens will just turn against their governments because of a few laws that would force companies to give them more options and flexibility.

 

[Da_Hood]

stole a 40bn defense contract from France…

If your talking submarines, French contractors incompetence gave government a get out of jail free card.

 

[blackcrayon]

Yeah I mean there is precedent too, look how badly the Mac fared once it became possible to get software from wherever people wanted……..

Or you mean how Windows (or in many places, Android) fared? iOS is a massively larger current user base than the Mac, and it is the dominant platform in many markets.
We also don't know if Apple will even be allowed to pop up a warning for every non-certified app, which is what macOS does now. Third parties could argue that this is "unfair treatment" and violating potential results of the EU ruling.

 

[AlexESP]

well, we don't know, it could just as well be that nobody cares about the walled garden and just accepts it as a negative thing that other things makes up for. it's only apple who claims this is a thing without evidence.

First of all, it’s not only Apple, many of us also think that way (in fact, I think many of the upsides basically depend on the walled garden). And yes, it could be. It could also be the other way around. The only fact is that a lot of people seem to like the combination, and remember that removing one factor which is a downside for you doesn’t make the rest stay the same. Thankfully, it’s Apple the one responsible for making those decisions, and the ones who earn their salary based on whether those are good or bad. It’s easier to achieve the best solution with many companies like this in competition, each one with its particular incentives, than top-to-bottom.

 

[AlexESP]

This is good. Now you would know if the market really does or does not want it. Otherwise, how would one know if people do not want sideloading if Apple never allowed it? If, even after allowing sideloading, if no one uses it, then you can say with confidence that nobody wants sideloading. I am glad EU is giving Apple the option to prove it. You must be happy to be proved right.

Your comment doesn’t address my point: some people want a OS that actively doesn’t allow it. Besides polls (and even then), you’ll never know if people like an isolated factor or not. Neither with this EU regulation. We’d need a parallel universe where iPhones allow sideloading (with all its consequences on other parts of the phone and how customers make use of it, don’t forget it), and compare users’ happiness, market share, Apple’s reputation, etc. Thinking of features as isolated components is not correct.

In the end, if Apple decides forbidding sideloading is good and it turns out to be wrong, they will pay it. If the EU commissioner thinks forbidding sideloading is bad and it turns out to be wrong, she won’t pay it, Apple will. Do you see the problem?

 

[Damian83]

Apple: We can allow side loading and self repair at unauthorized repair locations, but it will retroactively void your warranty,

1) what sideloading have to do with warranty? If u have a software problem u restore device by yourself. U mean bricking device maybe? Well, most of bricked iphone are caused by OTA official updates. Ive heard of many people that bricked their iphone this way, 2 of them told me this personally. And apple did nothing because warranty was expired. Newer heard of bricked iphones caused by an app sideloaded on a jb phone...

2) “authorized” service meaning by apple its too much limited. I dont think that being “authorized” should mean applying a 3x costs multiplier on a repair, because, actually, thats its the main difference... Using genuine parts and have an certified experience should be the only requirements, but the main reason for high prices its having the apple logo

 

[RadioHedgeFund]

It's about time we had more open standards like the ones that underpinned the first internet than the closed ones we have now.

An open encrypted messaging standard overseen by the IEEE would be beneficial for everyone. Nobody opposed the open way email works so arguements against the idea are moot.

There is also no reason why phones shouldn't be able to install things just like a desktop computer. Again, Windows, Linux and OSX have worked this way forever and nobody complains about them being open models of app management.

 

[RadioHedgeFund]

Your comment doesn’t address my point: some people want a OS that actively doesn’t allow it. Besides polls (and even then), you’ll never know if people like an isolated factor or not. Neither with this EU regulation. We’d need a parallel universe where iPhones allow sideloading (with all its consequences on other parts of the phone and how customers make use of it, don’t forget it), and compare users’ happiness, market share, Apple’s reputation, etc. Thinking of features as isolated components is not correct.

In the end, if Apple decides forbidding sideloading is good and it turns out to be wrong, they will pay it. If the EU commissioner thinks forbidding sideloading is bad and it turns out to be wrong, she won’t pay it, Apple will. Do you see the problem?

Your desktop PC operates under open architecture. Do you also wish that was closed off?

 

[Manzanito]

Your comment doesn’t address my point: some people want a OS that actively doesn’t allow it. Besides polls (and even then), you’ll never know if people like an isolated factor or not. Neither with this EU regulation. We’d need a parallel universe where iPhones allow sideloading (with all its consequences on other parts of the phone and how customers make use of it, don’t forget it), and compare users’ happiness, market share, Apple’s reputation, etc. Thinking of features as isolated components is not correct.

In the end, if Apple decides forbidding sideloading is good and it turns out to be wrong, they will pay it. If the EU commissioner thinks forbidding sideloading is bad and it turns out to be wrong, she won’t pay it, Apple will. Do you see the problem?

So make sideloading a feature enabled in preferences that requires authentication. That way, you can have the iOS you want, that is, no sideloading, and people who want to sideload apps can enable the feature. And apple gets to stay in the EU market.

 

[bluecoast]

Massive government overreach. Play hardball Apple and threaten to pull out of the EU. They need you more than you need them.

They sure could - but at the cost of losing a significant part of their revenue.

The EU has about 500 million inhabitants, a large proportion of whom are ‘middle class’ (I don’t know the percentage).

It’s an important mature market for consumer goods and services.

Pull out of it & Wall Street would not be happy.

 

[bastoshaq]

nope they wont. they havent done it with android, windows, MacOS and linux. so we can expect iOS to be the same

thats also completely fin considering EU wants to implement apples privacy rules but for everyone.

The EU Has a Plan to Fix Internet Privacy: Be More Like Apple

Lawmakers want all websites to use a similar “Ask App Not to Track” function, but Apple's system might not be as clear-cut as once believed.

www.wired.com

that is a fundamental misunderstanding you and many keep having. no one protocol to rule them all, but a minimum standard that will be implemented. that is what regulations do. they implement what you need to meet; the rest can be better in any shape or form as long as the original things

Aren't we saying the same thing? We would be ok with a new standard but not being the only rules available. iMessage would only still speak with iMessage, WhatsApp with WhatsApp, FB Messenger with FB Messenger, text message with text message, new standard with new standard.
Would then be up to companies to allow/or not their solution to speak with other solution (iMessage with WhatsApp), not by law.