Apple slams Android as a 'massive tracking device' in internal slides revealed in Google antitrust battle

Lee Duna@lemmy.nz to Technology@beehaw.org – 95 points –
DOJ v Google: Apple slams Android as huge 'tracking device'
theregister.com
19

pot calling the kettle black are we

(I just googled this phrase since to be honest I didn't know its origins and I really prefer the 1639 version "Pot calling the pan burnt-arsed" now)

Pot calling the pan burnt-arsed

Thank you for this!

We have a phrase in Romanian: shard laughing at the broken pot

Ah! I just configured yesterday my router to block all the Apple tracking requests (via DNS)... My Android don't have Google, so they are technically wrong, there is no Apple OS with no tracking (as it is closed source).

EDIT: Also, we don't need to listen them, we have proofs: https://www.scss.tcd.ie/doug.leith/apple_google.pdf 😼

Slides from 20 years ago.

This is news, yes, especially considering that Apple made a deal with the devil considering its new self-reported bloom as privacy focused.

But news headlines are acting like Apple just said this today, and that is complete headline bait.

1 more...

Yet Apple gladly takes billions from Google so that they remain the default search engine.

Yes it's all business.

Partnership team finds the biggest bidder for the default search.

Marketing teams find the best argument against their biggest competitor.

At no point anyone is pondering if Google is "good" or "bad" because companies typically don't care.

I guess what that slide meant was not what the author thought.

Well, yes, Android is a "massive tracking device", but Google Search is not the culprit. Android apps were able to collect user data easily because they didn't have to ask for users' permission (and even today, by using an old Android API iirc).

So, no, I don't trust Apple, but that slide is probably irrelevant.

and even today, by using an old Android API iirc

Nope, the required API to have your app in the Playstore constantly rises, and if you don't comply you get kicked. The current API version is something around 26, and definitely has the permissions model integrated.

They're also adding an API version check on devices, which will affect old apps that have gotten around the store checks. Only affects devices that can upgrade to 14, but it's a solid step.

Yeah, but you can distribute your app outside and the official store then

eh, anything Apple says about direct competition is a lie. every time

Well, in this case, it is a lie of omission. It is true that Android devices are massive trackers. But, so are Apple devices.

Depends which Android devices. I don't have any unlatched Google apps in my phone

True. Me too. The fact that you can degoogle some Android phones while you cannot de-apple iphones makes the lie of omission particularly vicious.

Will, they would, wouldn't they. Tossers.