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The fact you even mention this is evidence that Restrictive/Exclusive App Stores (e.g. Apple App Store) are a bad deal for consumers - limiting their privacy, a
by jeffnappi 7y ago
The fact you even mention this is evidence that Restrictive/Exclusive App Stores (e.g. Apple App Store) are a bad deal for consumers - limiting their privacy, and freedom. No entity should be able to block you from running software of your choice on a device you own.
Fortunately the majority of these protestors are likely using Android devices with the easy ability to put them in developer mode and side load these messaging apps.
I'd like to see Apple iOS introduce a developer mode (free of cost!) that allows side loading.
- avh02 7y agoThe problem with sideloading is the threat of compromised/modified version of an app being unknowingly installed. I believe the Saudis did this with the help of an Italian company whose name escapes me right now. Edit: looked it up, here: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ypw3xv/police-grade-mobile-spyware-is-spreading-through-saudi-arabia-and-beyond https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ypw3xv/police-grade-mobil...
- jeffnappi 7y agoSideloading is certainly risky, but it isn't something that a device manufacturer should be able to prevent a device owner from choosing to do. If you are sideloading an app, you should verify the source of it and you should be aware of the potential security risks you are taking. Preferably side loaded apps you might install are open source and the binaries are verifiable.