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If the law is enacted, and that seems unlikely, just removing it from app stores doesn’t seem sufficient to comply. Besides side-loading, users will just keep t
by varenc 4y ago
If the law is enacted, and that seems unlikely, just removing it from app stores doesn’t seem sufficient to comply. Besides side-loading, users will just keep the old version of the app.
WhatsApp can pretty clearly know if a user of the app is in the UK based on their account’s phone number country code and GeoIP. So if they wanted to comply by pulling out of the UK completely they’d probably have to make some attempt to disable WhatsApp messages for those users they’re reasonably expected to know with some confidence are located in the UK.
But as others have said, this all just seems like posturing that’s unlikely to become law.
- tracker1 4y agoIt is not my responsibility to make sure that citizens of Elbonia aren't able to use my application if I don't operate a business or live in Elbonia. It comes down to jurisdiction. If you don't have it on the default marketplace for the region, and don't have a physical business presence in the region, it can be argued, you've done enough and aren't subject to the jurisdiction and are not doing business there. That users may bypass and side-load your application is immaterial. If a user in the UK uses a US based VPN, they can also still use the app even if you added IP blocking, and IP blocking in and of itself is less than perfect often subject to false positive/negatives, and best to be avoided.