[avalys]

Because regardless of which service they choose to use, Apple controls the platform they’re running on in every case. They actually don’t have a meaningful choice in that area.

Imagine it was Amazon in this situation. Or Microsoft. Or Google. Or, gasp, Facebook. Where 90% of teens were using a hardware and software platform made by one company. Seems like a problem, right?

Imagine how much people would be freaking out if Facebook came out with a phone and OS and had 90% of teens using it. The wailing and gnashing of teeth could be heard from the Moon.

[zepto]

It doesn’t seem like a problem at all. You seem to be just saying that without explaining it.

The communication is not being done using software that Apple provides.

People have a vast array of choices for communications and Apple isn’t harming that.

In addition, there is nothing preventing Google or Facebook from executing on what Apple does other than their own lack of focus.

[makomk]

It's being done using devices that only run software approved by Apple, and Apple already uses that power to dictate what communications are allowed. By their mandate, apps like Discord and Telegram are forced to hard-block users on iOS from joining or viewing servers and communities with adult content, and for some communities with a more, ah, relaxed attitude to sex this fundamentally affects how they communicate with their friends. It doesn't matter what communications software they use because the mandate comes from Apple and every single competing option is required to impose the same restrictions. Arguably this restriction is going to shape how our culture thinks in the long term too.

[threeseed]

> Apple controls the platform they’re running on in every case. They actually don’t have a meaningful choice in that area.

Except they do. They can choose to use Android like many non-teens do.

Where all of those apps except for one is available.

[ksec]

That is like saying Microsoft Windows is not a monopoly in the 90s because they have a choice to choose Mac or Linux.

[zepto]

Given that Apple was able to outgrow Microsoft despite this so called monopoly, that seems quite reasonable.