| This bogus "justification" for not considering any alternative, non-corporate mobile OS on any phone makes no sense HN commenters will not let it go Most HN readers have multiple computers, including multiple phones There is no requirement that one has to run a closed-source banking or government ID app on the same phone as open-source apps, e.g., apps from F-Droid And it ignores countless people who do not and will never use banking or government ID apps I tested a banking app for depositing a paper cheque and it was incredibly convenient. At the same time, the app tried to make a plain, unencrypted HTTP connection to www.google.com I blocked these connection attempts and the app still worked, with plenty of phoney error warnings. I would not be comfortable leaving one of these apps installed on a phone that's charged, powered on and has a cinnection to the internet Every user is different but it makes no sense to argue on HN of all places that these closed-source banking apps are essential for everyone. Many HN users are never going to use these apps, and rightfully so |
If a bank or government requires use of a "smartphone app" then this does not mean this smartphone must be used for any other purpose(s)
Nothing forces someone to install the app on every smartphone they own
These required apps do not prevent anyone with multiple smartphones from using alternative OS, i.e., not Android or iOS, on some of them