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Apple declined to implement 16 Web APIs in Safari due to privacy concerns

(www.zdnet.com)
428 points coronadisaster | 3 comments | 29 Jun 20 10:16 UTC | HN request time: 0.594s | source
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thayne ◴[29 Jun 20 18:40 UTC] No.23680835[source]▶
There may be some legitimate fingerprinting concenrs. But given the list of API's it's hard not to see this as Apple crippling PWAs to prevent them from replacing native iOS apps (and hurting Apple's revenue from the Apple tax).

And maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't the fingerprinting concern be mitigated by the fact the app has to ask for permission before using the API? If an app that doesn't have to do with MIDI asks for permission to use my MIDI device, I'm going to be instantly suspicious.

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1. QUFB ◴[29 Jun 20 23:18 UTC] No.23684588[source]▶
Apple is a corporation listed on a US exchange, an entity where the only motivation is to generate profit for shareholders. It helps for corporations to frame business decisions in moral terms. If Apple cares about privacy, it is only because there is alignment with profit. If Apple cares about locking out APIs that disrupt their App Store profit, it doesn't hurt to frame the decision in privacy terms.

Currently my desire for both privacy, convenience, and usability align with Apple's current business decisions, so I choose iPhone. When Apple pivots to a new business model, I'll find the best compromise product.

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2. millstone ◴[30 Jun 20 03:26 UTC] No.23686217[source]▶
I disagree strongly. Apple leaves money on the table by not aggressively tracking its users. And their investment in e.g. accessibility is certainly not driven by bottom-line considerations.

Apple is relevant today because they actually are focused on products, not profits. Sometimes it really is that simple.

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3. asadkn ◴[30 Jun 20 10:24 UTC] No.23688615[source]▶
It's naive to think any company exists for any other purpose than maximizing profit. That's business 101.