Apple's "notarisation" – blocking software freedom of developers and users
15 days ago
- #Digital Markets Act
- #Software freedom
- #Apple notarisation
- The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) aims to shift power from tech giants to users and developers, promoting device neutrality.
- Apple’s 'notarisation' process contradicts the DMA by maintaining control over app distribution, blocking sideloading, and prohibiting alternative app stores.
- A civil-society complaint highlights Apple’s non-compliance with the DMA, focusing on unfair financial requirements and restrictive practices.
- Apple’s notarisation forces all apps to undergo Apple’s review and re-signing, undermining software freedom and user rights.
- High financial barriers (e.g., €1M standby letter) prevent non-profit and small developers from offering alternative app stores.
- Decentralised curation, like F-Droid, is proposed as a solution, promoting transparency, community audits, and user choice.
- The complaint urges the European Commission to enforce DMA rules, ensuring genuine openness and software freedom.