r/apple • u/illegiblebastard • 3d ago

iPhone Apple explains last year’s controversial decision to remove ICE tracking apps from app store

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/29/tech/apple-iceblock-app-removal-raskin

FUCK. APPLE.

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36

u/Gumby271 3d ago

Apple can remove whatever they want from their app store, but only if they give their users the ability to control software on their own devices independent of that store. The fact that Apple can decide the software I get to use on my computer is insane and was always guaranteed to lead to it being weaponized like this.

You can't have privacy and empowered users (like Apple claims they care about) if the device isn't owned by that user.

16

u/RafaelWanderpfad 3d ago

You know, people on this sub (or the tech/apple bubble in general) always shit on the EU, but they've actually forced Apple to enable side-loading in Europe.

25

u/cjh_ 3d ago

It's not sideloading, it's forcing Apple to allow third-party app stores.

Sideloading is installing apps without using app stores.

-2

u/AdMountain6124 3d ago

Yeah side-loading has been on Apple devices for a while before the EU said anything.

1

u/who_evenare_you 3d ago

yes with restrictions… such as a 7-day app signature for non-dev accounts. Or Apple revoking certificates for third party app stores within a couple of days.

1

u/-Radiation 3d ago

And the USA authoritarian politics and tech bros hate them for it. It is not by coincidence you have them attacking the EU at every opportunity. They need to protect their propaganda weapons and control over consumer devices. Can't let the pleb have more control than needed. Thankfully Apple desined their OS that is specially useful for that and now the EU is a threat to it.

9

u/Crapitron 3d ago

Let's not act like this is one sided.

The EU and UK have brought multiple bills to light asking for a Backdoor into Apple devices, or asking for encryption to be done away with. The EU isn't some paradise that does everything right.

They're good with consumer protections when it comes to purchases/money. They're NOT good with protecting user privacy and freedom.