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Is it possible to allow sideloading and keep users safe?

(shkspr.mobi)
205 points ColinWright | 3 comments | 30 Aug 25 12:03 UTC | HN request time: 0.619s | source
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isodev ◴[31 Aug 25 08:33 UTC] No.45081510[source]▶
I think the premise that app stores, notarisarion and such protect users is false. It’s like saying sunglasses protect you from the sun - they help you not get blinded by it right away, but you still need sunscreen, wear a hat etc.

Apple/Google rejecting some obvious scam apps doesn’t mean people don’t get scammed or hurt in other ways. Just like online age verification doesn’t actually protect children or make you a better parent… its just straw man of sorts, designed to remove agency from users through a false sense of safety.

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1. tim333 ◴[31 Aug 25 08:46 UTC] No.45081563[source]▶
The iphone system protects people fairly well at the stuff it's designed for, ie installing malware. Obviously sunglasses don't stop you needing sunscreen and the app store doesn't protect me from crashing my car etc.
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2. gf000 ◴[31 Aug 25 09:21 UTC] No.45081766[source]▶
Yeah, and banning cars would also protect people from car crashes.

But it comes with the rather large price of a huge limitation to my personal choices.

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3. jbverschoor ◴[31 Aug 25 09:29 UTC] No.45081810[source]▶
Not having mandatory checks and requirement would result in the market being flooded with unsafe cars