libertymatters

Apple threw in its lot with the ruling class in 2017.  It abandoned its traditional liberal values that Jobs talked about in favor of state censorship.  Now that same ruling class is trying to exact an even greater pound of flesh from Apple.  Evil always eats its own.

The fanboyism here never disappoints. I've been on the Apple train since the mid 90s.  Let's call a spade a spade though, Apple dictating to you what can and cannot be on your iPhone is authoritarianism run amok.  Today they are not banning things you care about, but what about when they do?  It is going to happen.  What ground will you have to stand on then?  We would have never tolerated this heavy handedness in the 90s or even early 2000s.  We should not tolerate it today.  Governments and corporations, run by western oligarchs, are out of control censoring to maintain their control, rule, and profits.  People across the political spectrum should be very alarmed by this.  It is very  bad for the people.

To the sky is falling fear mongers about security, question, is the Mac so unsafe to use? Do you really want to make that argument? I am arguing for the exact same security model that keeps the Mac safe be applied to iOS and iPadOS.  There really is no excuse not to do so other than power and money.  If you're opposed to it you have to concede the Mac is unsafe.  It is sick to watch so many 'progressives' defend a large corporations' profits and power. 

A maze of red tape to make it prohibitive.  An alternative app store on macOS requires no interaction or input from Apple at all.  An example is MacPorts.  The real answer here is customers demanding app freedom on iOS and iPadOS from Apple and voting with their dollars if Apple doesn't deliver.  The same app freedoms should exist on iOS/iPadOS as has existed on macOS since 1984: 'sideloading' allowed.  The very term 'sideloading' is itself a loaded term that presumes an authority that Apple doesn't have, control of YOUR device.  It is your device not Apple's.  You should be able to load on it whatever app you darn well please.   That is still true on the Mac.  It should be true for iPhones too.

A lot of commenters are looking at this from what's good for Apple.  How about we look at it from what's good for the customer?  It is not good for the customer to lose web apps on the home screen.  Apple is simply continuing its heavy handed approach with iOS/iPadOS for its own financial benefit in the name of security.  All they had to do was implement the same security model the Mac has and this would be over.  Scan and notarize third party apps and allow an option for no notarization apps.  Simple.  Apple should not be in control of what is installed on an iOS/iPadOS device anymore than they control what is installed on the Mac.  It is such an elementary point that is pains me to have to make it.  When you buy an iPhone from Apple it is no longer Apple's phone.  It is your phone.  You can install what you want on your phone.  Apple's heavy handedness simply should not be tolerated by the customer.