[panopticon]

I feel like the novel uses for such an API don't outweigh the costs.

Even if Apple did provide such an API, the app in question also blocked access to social media apps via the VPN. My head would explode if Apple allowed apps to exercise direct control over others apps in such a fashion.

[megous]

Sorry, I don't see it. If some app blocks access to other apps, when you don't want it, you simlpy uninstall it.

[panopticon]

If that answer was adequate, Apple wouldn't have to audit apps to ensure they're not abusing the contacts permission.

The potential for abuse and erosion of user trust seems orders of magnitude larger than the apps we are missing out on by not having such an API.

[megous]

I was writing specifically about (potential) app blocking API.

I'm not sure what user trust you're talking about, though. Apple allowed shady VPN tracking/blocking apps in the past and users used them.

[panopticon]

I was responding generally about either API; my thoughts are similar.

My position is one of a cost/benefit ratio. VPNs have a lot of good use cases (enterprise networking, privacy from shady networks, etc) that outweigh the potential for harm.

Good use cases for apps exercising control over others are screen time monitors and parental controls? Maybe I’m being unimaginative, but that’s a narrow band of functionality better served by OS-level features.