Darth Android
9 days ago
- #General-Purpose Computing
- #Tech Control
- #Corporate Greed
- Tech companies use legal and technical means to control and alter devices post-purchase, removing or modifying features at will.
- The 'Darth Vader MBA' philosophy describes how companies exploit cloud connections and IP laws to enforce changes and extract more money from users.
- Google and Apple maintain control over app stores, charging a 30% fee and restricting third-party apps, despite legal challenges.
- The concept of 'sideloading' is criticized as a euphemism for installing software without manufacturer permission, a basic function of general-purpose computers.
- Google's recent move to restrict sideloading to certified developers is seen as malicious compliance with court orders and a cash grab.
- The battle over general-purpose computing highlights the tension between user freedom and corporate control, with legal restrictions playing a key role.
- Epic Games' antitrust case against Google revealed anti-competitive practices, but enforcement remains challenging.
- Reputation systems and developer certifications are criticized as ineffective against malicious actors, as seen in past scams and supply chain attacks.
- Apple and Google's arguments about security and privacy are dismissed as pretexts for maintaining control and profits.
- The article calls for greater user control over devices and criticizes the erosion of general-purpose computing principles.