Thread

1. Gareth321 · 1789560773 · focus · HN ↗

   MAYBE operating systems shouldn't have gatekeepers which can deny access to billions of customers for any and no reason at all. Apple and Google are WELL past due for regulation in this space. The fact that we cannot download and install software from the internet onto our phones JUST like we can do with our computers is a symbol of our inept and ineffective politicians.

   And before someone says "well akshully you can technically do it on Android," Google has been working tirelessly to make it as onerous as possible for both developers and customers. For example, users need to separately authorise each app (browser, files manager, alternative store, etc) to install an APK from outside the Play Store. Google also does background scans using "Play Protect" which will periodically delete apps Google doesn't approve of. This happened to me with SmartTubeNext. I have a dozen other ways Google ensures users are discouraged from stepping outside the Play Store.

   1. setgree · 1789563659 · focus · HN ↗

      And what should we do about apps' getting hacked, sending out malicious updates that get auto-updated and thereby infecting tens of millions or billions of phones simultaneously?

      I'm not saying we have the perfect system but anything that slants the system towards "easier downloads" or "less gatekeeping" brings large, obvious risks. I don't see how regulation would address them.

      1. pjc50 · 1789564479 · focus · HN ↗

         I wonder if people would be happy replacing the "Google approves developers" system with a "government requires your ID and address on file so you can be held liable for your apps" system. I suspect not.

         1. drdexebtjl · 1789564819 · focus · HN ↗

            What for? Malicious actors have no shortage of stolen identities.
         2. Frieren · 1789564914 · focus · HN ↗

            That is already a requirement in any civilized country. You cannot run a business without a registered ID, address, etc. for tax purposes.

            For free (like for real no microtransactions) that is different. For the rest, they already have that.

         3. BiteCode_dev · 1789565048 · focus · HN ↗

            It's virtually the case, google and apple accounts require ID verification, which in turn can be requested by the gov in case of an investigation.
         4. zzril · 1789567828 · focus · HN ↗

            If you don't agree with a decision made by your government, you can vote for someone else next time. If you don't agree with a decision made by Google, what do you do?

            1. freedomben · 1789568345 · focus · HN ↗

               The people I vote for never win. Am I really any more empowered with the government than I am with Google? At least with Google I can de-google my life (with some significant losses of convenience, but it is doable)

               1. zzril · 1789569127 · focus · HN ↗

                  Personally, I find it easier to live with a decision I don't support if I was simply out-numbered in a fair vote, rather than out-powered by some random company on some random continent.

                  As for doing without Google, I'm kinda doing that myself (using a Linux phone even). But tbh, I think that nowadays moving to another country to escape a government you fundamentally disagree with is easier than moving away from Google.

               2. myaccountonhn · 1789575439 · focus · HN ↗

                  You probably have some sort of legal rights and ability to challenge decisions made by your government.

                  If you're banned from Google? Good luck, you're fucked.

         5. everforward · 1789569832 · focus · HN ↗

            The only part that would really be novel is the liability.

            I would be shocked if you could publish an iOS app without Apple being able to tell the government who you are. Less because Apple cares and more because Apple requires you to pay, which is very hard to do anonymously for something like this (I’d bet the options they offer are effectively “credit card only”).

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