[zodo123]

It seems odd to me that short of the nuclear option (removing the app from stores), no one has suggested revocation of the device permissions that TikTok is shown to abuse. Following something like this, it feels entirely reasonable for Apple/Google to reply "Submit an update to your app that removes all use of location permissions within 30 days."

[nicce]

The reason is purely political.

U.S. could create privacy laws which were equal to every company but there is no will.

Comply with laws or get banned, applying every company.

[BLKNSLVR]

Privacy laws implemented now would undermine the profitability of "structurally significant" US companies and restrict the flow of data from these private entities to government entities, and thus would likely be seen as a threat to national security.

Privacy laws are dead almost before they're even conceived.

It would also create a very large spike in unemployment. I can't imagine how many jobs would be lost if the tech industry could no longer spy on the internet.

I can dream though.

[briffle]

agreed, look at the top comment thread, its full of political discussions about why its okay for one country to do something but not the other...

The real solution is that we should all have privacy. Encoded in law, with serious penalties. and that no country should be able to do what is described.

[2OEH8eoCRo0]

How long do you think such a sweeping privacy law would take to plan, write, and pass? Do you think they'd get it right? What might the fallout of such a law be?

[nicce]

It will take couple years, but many global companies have already faced that with Europe's GDPR legislation. Only problem with GDPR is, that fines seems to be too low.

[laweijfmvo]

Not banned, but sued out of existence (not a meaningless $100m fine). Breaking app store policy gets you banned; breaking US law gets you eliminated.

edit: for US companies, at least

[rr808]

Because the whole advertising industry and thus the tech industry (and US govt surveillance) relies on the same features.

[hackernewds]

You need only watch one congressional hearing grilling Jack or Zuck or Sundar to know that you don't blame on malice, what you can blame on pure incompetence. Our geriatric leaders have little idea how the tech that dominates our lives function, let alone regulate them well.