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by CydeWeys 2111 days ago
Why do people show Apple's ToS so much deference but then (rightfully) shit on all other ToSes by other people? ToSes suck. Most people don't even read them. I'm sure big companies like Epic have lawyers that do actually read them, but still, it's not like you have a choice in the matter. You can't just not publish on the biggest mobile market. The ToS isn't a negotiation, it's just a big monopoly owner exerting their will over others.
2 comments
ksk 2111 days ago
That is exactly right. Comcast's TOS allows them to discriminate on internet traffic. Maybe Comcast can even make a twisted argument that its in the user's best interest. I'm sure nobody here wants them to do that. We already fight against things that we find unethical, or against our principles. This is no different.

Whats being asked isn't some massive change to their software. Its freedom for the developer and user to have a choice in payment platforms. As much as Apple tries to obfuscate it, the AppStore is not the kernel, its not the graphics layer, its not the file system, its not something that is needed to run software. The other OS components are already being abstracted away to some extent by cross-platform tooling, and the AppStore is way way easier than those.

On one hand, Apple will never take legal responsibility to audit software on their App Store and certify it free from malware, because doing so will be cost prohibitive and/or impossible. But at the same time, they want to claim its this 'utopia' that will get destroyed if users are allowed the freedom to pick a different store. How about you let us decide that?

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smachiz 2111 days ago
That's always true though - what you're saying is "I don't like that some entities are more powerful than other entities".

Even at much smaller scale, you may need someone more than they need you, and they will negotiate like it - for legal and commercial terms.

Also, terms of service are usually negotiable - presuming you're worth negotiating with. GE has no problem negotiating with Google - you as an individual might have to take what their standard is.

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