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"Although the source code of the app is available, we cannot compile it, run it, and make it work without signing an agreement with Apple or Google. We do not f
by jamisteven 6y ago
"Although the source code of the app is available, we cannot compile it, run it, and make it work without signing an agreement with Apple or Google. We do not find it compatible with the notion of open source." <-- Isnt this the case with every app?
- coob 6y agoYes, it's a ridiculous absolutist argument.
- g_p 6y agoI think the point here is that on iOS, compiling/running/making it work requires an entitlement (i.e. permission) that is granted only to those who are signatories to Apple's agreement on getting access to the Covid API. See the yellow "important" box on https://developer.apple.com/documentation/exposurenotification https://developer.apple.com/documentation/exposurenotificati... for some more info. Not sure how this works on Android but I assume there is a similar permissions gate to prevent other apps accessing this feature.
- throwaway9d0291 6y agoIf you read the report itself, they elaborate in section A.3 that the app does run but crashes due to something related to notifications. I'm speculating but I suspect the agreement they're referring to is the agreement for Google's proprietary Play Services API. I believe it's possible to compile Android itself and regular non-Google-Play Android apps without agreeing to anything but the terms of the open-source licenses.
- rob74 6y agoI wonder what alternative they would propose? If you want people to be able to use your app, you have to support the most popular app platforms, and if that means signing and agreement with Apple and/or Google, you have to do that. Anything else is "ivory tower" thinking.
- flattone 6y agoI think it’s pretty obvious? You describe the situation as if it has been discovered as a law of physics to which all humans are subject. Change the system... honor open source principles. If ivory tower thinking means, improved state of affairs, then.. ok... ? Call it whatever you want haha.
- rob74 6y agoI'm against the walled gardens of Apple, Google, Amazon etc. too, I'm just saying that if you want to launch an app for which it is especially important that as many people as possible should be able to use it, you have to think pragmatically...
- pdehaye2 6y agoThe point is that you shouldn't mislead the population in claiming this app is open source when it actually isn't. Some consequential parts of the protocol are implemented as a black box.
- nix23 6y agoIts no about platform but using proprietary stuff, you should be able to compile and run it on a complete opensource android without the proprietary parts.
- rob74 6y agoI think that's the second point in the list: > A big part of the contact tracing protocol (which was originally the DP3T protocol) is implemented by Apple-Google in a part of the system called GAEN. This part has no available source code although the law requires disclosure of the source code of all components of the system. Since the first point is separate from that, it must be referring to something else?!
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- varispeed 6y agoYou should be able to compile and run app that is truly open source if you have right tools and skills.
- sudosysgen 6y agoNo, it is not. Most apps on my phone are either compatible with microG (open source), or have their own notification system (such as Telegram).