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. Maskawanian · 1789564144 · focus · HN ↗

         How about treating people like adults for a start? How about starting public awareness campaigns about proper digital hygiene. Not everything has to be nanny state garbage.

         1. pjmlp · 1789564224 · focus · HN ↗

            Many of us have routinely cleaned computers from adults that installed several Ask Jeeves and Yahoo toolbars.

            1. sunaookami · 1789569973 · focus · HN ↗

               And e.g. browsers cracked down on it, removed toolbar support and powerful add-on support AND enforced signing meaning everything goes through their gatekept extension store and these problems still persist (e.g. addons changing the search provider, new tab page or homepage). Locking everything down does not help.

               1. pjmlp · 1789570725 · focus · HN ↗

                  More a problem of those stores still not being properly validated rather a dumping ground for extensions, than anything else.

                  1. sunaookami · 1789596970 · focus · HN ↗

                     A problem that can't be solved, you can't check every single program out there much like you can't check every single human ever even with cameras installed everywhere.

                     1. pjmlp · 1789623605 · focus · HN ↗

                        Just because some people still die with seatbelts, does not mean they aren't safer without them.

                        Yes you can check every single program out there, when digital stores are the only acquisition mechanism.

                        Or as alternative, signed binaries.

                        Coupled with liability like anything else in our societies.

               2. no-name-here · 1789571434 · focus · HN ↗

                  > does not help

                  Is that true - do you not see significantly fewer of those installs on random PCs now than you did years ago? And that's even with the current situation not being what I'd call fully locked down.

                  1. sunaookami · 1789596934 · focus · HN ↗

                     Nope.

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