Apple's Values
The Fediverse was abuzz today about a report that Apple will be allowing third-party app stores on the iPhone. But reading the fine print, it's obvious this is not an altruistic gesture on Apple's part.
Apple is making this move in response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). In other words, they're doing it because they're being forced. It's either that, or they can't sell iPhones in the EU. Despite their ridiculous claims that it will “destroy the security of the iPhone”, they are willing to compromise that principle because it is secondary to the thing they value above all else: profit.
Unfortunately for anyone who values the freedom to install the software of their choice on the hardware of their choice, Apple will likely make this change only for iPhones in Europe. They will continue to lock down their phones as tightly as possible everywhere else it is legal to do so – it's more profitable for them.
To further illustrate that Apple is willing to put profit above principle, consider the compromises they have been willing to make to sell iPhones in China. Despite their marketing claims of privacy and security, they have provided the Chinese government with the ability to use iPhones to surveil Chinese citizens. It's the cost of doing business in China, and Apple complies for the same reason they comply with the EU: profit.
And again, it really comes down to this question: who truly owns an iPhone? You? Or Apple? I'll save you the trouble and give you the answer: Apple. You use an iPhone at their pleasure. You have the features and capabilities they allow you to have. You cannot install the operating system of your choice. They can allow third-party app stores or force you to use theirs exclusively. They provide OS updates for a certain amount of time, and when they stop, there's nothing you can do about it. They have the power to render your phone completely useless or use your phone for surveillance or other malicious activity without your knowledge or consent.
That's a lot of power for a company. And they have shown they're willing to use that power in whatever way is most profitable for them – regardless of whatever values they may espouse in their marketing materials.
“But Dallin,” you say, “what about the new Advanced Data Protection feature Apple just rolled out? Doesn't that at least show their commitment to privacy and security?”
This is a good move, yes. Many years late, but better late than never. And apparently Apple's Craig Federighi claimed this feature would even roll out to China. But I have a hard time believing the Chinese government would allow this unless they had some way to circumvent it. We should probably assume they do. And if they do, what's to prevent others from doing the same?
I don't trust Apple. I don't trust them to always do what's right for the customer. I expect them to always do whatever pleases their shareholders, which may or may not be what's right for the customer. I don't want a company with those values to have as much control as Apple has over the technology I use.
#100DaysToOffload (No. 78) #tech