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Comment by danielmarkbruce

2 years ago

Is there any upside to consumers to this restriction?

Security. I'm quite happy as an iPhone user to have Apple be the only ones in the loop for NFC payments. I'm generally happy with all other restrictions mentioned in the suit (no 3rd party app stores, no super apps, etc). It seems that this suit is brought on behalf of other companies (device and app makers, etc) and has a tenuous benefit to the public. There is a fair alternative available in Android for those who don't want to be in the iOS ecosystem.

FWIW I use Linux on my desktop computer, believe in open source, etc. Since mobile phones have become much more than phones and are now a sort of master key to your entire life, I am happy to have that key reside in as high a trust environment as I can find.

  • > Security.

    Why do you think a banks NFC payment app might not be secure? If ios is a platform then another NFC app could be as secure. Regardless, users should be given a choice. You can continue using Apple Wallet app, some other users might prefer other apps.

    • The concern is bad actors - that some random app (not your bank) gets access to NFC.

      Choice isn't always good. Especially where consumers don't really understand all the implications. My mom doesn't benefit from choice here, she is actively harmed by it, she knows it, she uses Apple to avoid it.

      6 replies →

  • Honest question: Do you have any example that the approach Android takes to the NFC stack enables exploits that are not possible on iOS in regard to NFC payments?

    • I don't have an example, but I believe your question supports my point. From everything I've observed, Apple is generally better at providing a secure ecosystem than the variety of major parties that comprise the Android ecosystem. So if I remain in the Apple ecosystem I'll need to devote less energy to answering questions like the one you've asked than otherwise.

      12 replies →

  • Sorry, that was a joke. I should have lathered on more obvious sarcasm. The DOJ don't understand very basic computer security. It's disgraceful. Agree with everything you say here - the antitrust regulators seem to have forgotten who they are supposed to be protecting - consumers, not apple competitors.

    • Ok, but about the percentage fee?

      If Apple removed the transaction cost entirely, then there wouldn't be much complaint.

      That absolutely raises prices and effects consumers.

      If Apple takes a 0% fee, or allows other competitors some way of charging 0%, that would obviously benefit consumers.

      8 replies →

  • > I'm quite happy as an iPhone user to have Apple be the only ones in the loop for NFC payments

    You don't think your bank is in the loop on payments you make with your bank's card???

    • In the loop for the NFC part. One's bank is, rather obviously, involved in the transaction.

  • While that may be true for nfc payments, a lot of the accusations in the document are excused by Apple using bad-faith arguments in the name of security. Then there’s the 30% tax, which is just anticompetitive extortion.