Mozilla Expresses Disappointment Over Apple's New Browser Rules for iOS

January 30, 2024 By Aaem Joshi

(Image Credit Google)

Apple's latest announcement about changes to browser rules in the European Union has started both expectation and disappointment within the tech community. While the new rules represent a positive change for browsers like Firefox, permitting them to use their own engines on iOS, Mozilla, the creator of Firefox, has expressed huge disappointment. This blog digs into the complexities of Apple's suggested plan, Mozilla's concerns, and the wider importance of browser competition on iOS. Apple's Policy Change: In the forthcoming iOS 17.4 update, Apple has decided to abandon its last request, requiring programs in the European Union to just utilize WebKit — the fundamental engine fueling Safari. This change is huge as it covers the way for other web search tools, like Blink (utilized by Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge) and Gecko (the engine behind Firefox), to work on iOS. The move presumably lets outsider programs work all the more autonomously and without the limitations forced by WebKit. Also Read: How Apps Exploit Push Notifications and Ways to Stop Them Mozilla's Disappointment: Although there is an obvious benefit to expanding the browser engines available on iOS, Mozilla is quite disappointed with the details of Apple's proposed strategy. Mozilla spokesperson Damiano DeMonte expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "We are still studying the technical elements but are deeply disappointed with Apple's proposed plan to limit the newly-announced BrowserEngineKit to EU-specific apps." Concerns About Implementation: Mozilla's main crisis spins around the practical challenges set by Apple's offered plan. The decision to enforce the changes only in the EU creates a scenario where autonomous browsers like Firefox would need to create and hold two separate browser implementations—one designed for the EU and the other one for the rest of the world. This contradiction places an unnecessary burden on independent browser creators, differing from Apple, which won't face the same burden. Competitive Alternatives and Consumer Choice: Mozilla claims that Apple's offer falls short in delivering consumers with possible choices, claiming that it makes it unnecessarily hard for different browsers to contend with Safari. DeMonte further criticizes Apple, stating, "This is another example of Apple creating barriers to prevent true browser competition on iOS." Mozilla is not alone in showing dissatisfaction with Apple's new rules. Other designers, including Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and music streaming platform Spotify, have also expressed criticism. Sweeney marked the new terms a "horror show," while Spotify attacked the changes as a "farce." The dissatisfaction grows above browsers to game streaming apps, alternative app stores, and the practice of sideloading. The developing terrain of browser competition on iOS has seen both positive and controversial developments. While Apple's decision to let other engines seem to promote diversity, the implementation details have lured criticism from Mozilla and others in the tech industry. As the tech community waits for the EU Commission's decision on Apple's offered guidelines, the importance of browser competition and consumer choice stays at the forefront of discussions.

By Aaem Joshi

I am a Journalist who loves digging up stories that remain unheard. Strongly Believe in the knowledge of the social world.

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