[yummypaint]

I think it's more about boiling the frog. Temper the initial outrage with exceptions, let people get used to the idea that repairs are wrong but it's sometime ok, then remove exceptions later. It's the same long game the inkjet printer people have been unfortunately winning for a while now.

[tomcooks]

Exactly, it all starts with exceptions until it's time for "think about the children", "nothing to hide, right?" and it's easygame towards "safety of our people"

[as1mov]

When it comes to phones, the excuse is "security" of the phone, locking down the device as much as possible. And it's sad how that sentiment is echoed even on forums like HN. Apple as already a closed walled garden, Android is quickly moving that way with each release.

[Fiveplus]

Not that I view this comment with a cynical eye, rather with an inquisitive perspective, I would love to read more examples which started with an exception cause and ended up with a blanket rule enforcement.

[dane-pgp]

I think the general pattern here is "mission creep"[0] of which [1] is a classic example.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_creep

[1] https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2008/11/anti-terror_l...