[fragmede]

But it's the about the number of people in that chain. In addition to trusting Threema or FooCorp, because of the app store, you also have to trust Apple not to mess with it. It would be better by not having to trust everyone along the chain by just having a shorter chain.

[nozzlegear]

You’re right, I can see your point of view. I guess what I don’t understand is that Apple is already in that chain by virtue of the fact that you’re using an Apple device in the first place. Even if we take for granted the fact that you’re maybe not using their App Store to install an app, you’re still using an operating system developed by them, the app is using APIs written by them, etc. You must inherently have some trust in Apple to use iOS in the first place, so my point of contention is that it looks like adding Threema or another App Store distributor is what’s adding more points of contact to the chain. Do I misunderstand it?