Electronic Frontier Foundation bashes iOS developer rules, launches Android-only app

BY

Published 9 Jan 2015

NSFW AI Why trust Greenbot

We maintain a strict editorial policy dedicated to factual accuracy, relevance, and impartiality. Our content is written and edited by top industry professionals with first-hand experience. The content undergoes thorough review by experienced editors to guarantee and adherence to the highest standards of reporting and publishing.

Disclosure

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is going Android-only with its new app, saying it can’t get on board with the Apple Developer Agreement.

The organization is one of the top groups in pushing for user privacy free expression online. Its new app, which you can grab from the ay Store, sends you occasional alerts about issues the EFF is taking on, with links for you to share via social media.

The EFF outlines its objections to Apple’s rules in a blog post, taking issue with a ban on “public statements” about the developer agreement (even though it’s not secret), disallowing apps built with Apple’s SDK to be released on other platforms, a restriction on jailbreaking iOS devices.

Many other developers probably take issue with some provisions, though they often don’t have the luxury of ignoring one of the two major mobile operating systems, especially if they’re trying to turn a profit.

The story behind the story: ile Apple’s App Store has been spectacularly successful, it’s been dogged by criticism over its developer rules. Apple must approve each new app update before going live in the App Store, even those for minor bug or security fixes. Apple argues that it makes the App Store better for you since it has a heavier h in curating its apps. The ay Store doesn’t have a similar approval process, though of course that means from time to time more malware or other nefarious apps sneak in.