this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2024

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Mozilla says Apple’s new browser rules are “as painful as possible” for Firefox (www.theverge.com)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

125 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Mozilla is unhappy because the use of browser engines other than WebKit will be restricted to the EU, forcing them to develop two different apps.

For an independent browser like Firefox, managing two browsers is not easy, so it can be forgiven that this could be seen as almost harassment.

Also, the fact that the use of browser engines other than WebKit is limited to iOS means that the use of WebKit is still forced on iPadOS, which also increases the effort for Mozilla.

Source: https://iphonewired.com/news/746093/

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Why not stopping developing apps for Apple systems? Fuck them.

[–] Darorad 86 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Mozilla doesn't have the sort of leverage to make an impact by abandoning apple devices. Firefox has an incredibly low market share and this could push people to other browsers. People tend to use the same browser for stuff like bookmark and password syncing, so abandoning ios could have larger consequences.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I understand, but if Apple is fucking up with our development, not only for Firefox, for any developer that makes apps for phones... why keep following their abusive rules? When I say "stopping developing apps for Apple" I mean, any developer that dislikes the abusive rules of Apple and fees. If we abandon the system, the iOS users will need to move to Android or other systems that are more friendly for developers.

[–] Darorad 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Oh yeah generally I'd agree, with firefox I just think it'd be better to do what will push the fewest people away as long as it's possible to maintain development.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Sadly yeah, I was just like "screaming with anger" about what Apple does, and seems everyone just agrees and keep playing their game.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago (1 children)

The issue is that larger companies which could have an impact (Netflix, google, Meta) already have special deals in place that bypass these rules

[–] [email protected] 13 points 7 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

https://newsroom.spotify.com/2024-01-26/apples-proposed-changes-reject-the-goals-of-the-dma/

And it comes down to a fundamental question: Will the European Commission follow through with its intent to right-size Apple’s abuse of power? Or will the DMA be nice in theory, but in practice, have no substantive meaning for most developers?

From Spotify.

Update: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/29/24054943/microsoft-apple-app-store-dma-rule-change-response Xbox (Microsoft)

[+] [email protected] -9 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Because then Apple fanbois will complain and tarnish Mozilla's/Firefox's reputation

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Developing a crippled port that is limited/restricted by design due to Apple policies would not really help Mozilla’s/Firefox’s reputation anyway. Apple fanbois will complain ether way.

If those fanbois want a Firefox app on Apple systems, it's Apple the one they should complain to.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

it’s Apple the one they should complain to.

Or walk away from.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

They already do that, they can say whatever, they will be isolated with their shitty Apple products and if they want decent browsers then they will need to use decent systems. Apple can't abuse of their power and force us to follow their abusive rules, they can't even have a decent UI desktop. They are so bad programmers.

[–] jaybone 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Such a weird take.

Also this has nothing to do with programmers.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Just saying their OS sucks, bad designs, buggy UIs, etc. They don't even decent software, and I already saw many stupid bugs.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Android was a victim of the NSO's Pegasus because of WhatsApp, and possibly that only worked because Facebook negotiated with phone manufacturers to bundle dodgy pre-installed system apps outside the Google Play Store.

Apple's iOS was a victim of the NSO's Pegasus because of iMessages.

For me, that's enough to completely steer clear of iOS altogether. I mean, the lack of customisation and control over my device was already enough, but that kind of vindicated it for me.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, my Android doesn't have WhatsApp, I neither have Google apps. It's a degoogled OS. I feel free and things works, even my default web browser on my Android has NoScript (JavaScript blocker), to make it safer. With Apple... you are sold.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Ditto! No Google needed, and Facebook apps are prohibited on my phone. I can even get banking apps working with a bit of Magisk, working in Zygisk domain with a deny list hiding it from the apps. Apparently proper SafetyNet checks aren't that common anymore.

For browsers, I'd recommend Mull and Mulch. Mull is a privacy fork of Firefox, Mulch is a hardened version of Android System Webview (the backend browser that lots of apps use). Both come pre-installed with DivestOS.