Apple Bans Google From Distributing Internal iOS Apps (Updated)

Update: Apple has told BuzzFeed that the company is working closely with Google to provide the company with new Enterprise Developer Program certificates so they can once again distribute their internal apps. “We are working together with Google to help them reinstate their enterprise certificates very quickly.” an Apple spokesperson told BuzzFeed. The news comes after Cupertino reinstated Facebook’s certificates for the Enterprise Developer Program.

Original story follows. 

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Facebook was recently banned by Apple from distributing internal iOS apps after the company violated Apple’s terms of conditions. The social network giant used Apple’s Enterprise Developer Program, supposed to be used for distributing internal apps only, to deliver a secret Research app that paid teens in exchange for their data. (Update: Apple has lifted the ban on Facebook’s internal apps as of 18:36 EST). 

Shortly after, Google was revealed to be running a similar program. The company’s Screenwise Meter app used to monitor how people use their iPhones, in exchange for gift cards. The company also used Apple’s Enterprise Developer Program, violating the same ToCs Facebook did. After the app was revealed to be using Apple’s Enterprise Developer Program, Google stopped distributing the app through the program and disabled it on iOS devices quickly.

And now, The Verge is reporting that Apple has now blocked Google’s Enterprise Developer Program certificates. That means the company is no longer able to distribute internal versions of its iOS apps to employees. This includes early versions of its apps like Google Maps, as well as the Gbus app used for transportation within the Google campus.

The move from Apple is a big deal here. The company was accused of treating Facebook unfairly after reports of Google exploiting similar techniques, and the ban on Google should make things fair. Still, some are accusing the iPhone maker of abusing its power, but the move here is completely fair.

Both Google and Facebook violated Apple’s terms of conditions, and the punishment here is very straight forward.

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Conversation 24 comments

  • provision l-3

    31 January, 2019 - 4:48 pm

    <p>So were Facebook and Google betting that they are popular enough that they can do what they want and Apple wouldn't take action? It will be interesting to see how this ends. I assume the two will eventually be able to get certificates again. </p>

    • Mehedi Hassan

      Premium Member
      31 January, 2019 - 4:50 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#401039">In reply to provision l-3:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Bad look for Apple if Google and Facebook get allowed back in anytime soon</p>

      • jrickel96

        31 January, 2019 - 4:56 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#401041">In reply to Mehedi:</a></em></blockquote><p>Apple wants to bill itself as the secure mobile platform. They stick with this plan and enforce the same measures against rule breakers and that helps that claim. They cave and it hurts them.</p><p><br></p><p>They could also insinuate that if Google tries this on Apple's platform, imagine what they do on Android without anyone knowing.</p>

      • provision l-3

        31 January, 2019 - 6:52 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#401041">In reply to Mehedi:</a></em></blockquote><p>I don't think it is necessary bad it would really depend on the terms of allowing them have a certificate again which I'm guessing neither company will ever go into publicly. </p>

    • hometoy

      01 February, 2019 - 8:37 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#401039">In reply to provision l-3:</a></em></blockquote><p>It is far easier to ask for fogiveness (and try to get back in) than it is to ask for permission.</p><p><br></p>

      • provision l-3

        01 February, 2019 - 10:02 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#401162">In reply to hometoy:</a></em></blockquote><p>errrr… okay. </p>

        • Greg Green

          01 February, 2019 - 7:51 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#401168">In reply to provision l-3:</a></em></blockquote><p>It worked for Facebook. They’re back in the club and none the worse for it.</p>

  • infodave

    31 January, 2019 - 4:50 pm

    <p>Apple seems to have a different tact here.</p>

  • cadrethree

    31 January, 2019 - 4:55 pm

    <p>Isn't this eventually where all this is heading? Walled garden ecosystems? At least for the service stuff that these companies are developing? Why would Apple share it's 1.4 billion users with someone like Microsoft and their forthcoming Gamepass product? Or Google and it's 2 billion user if they get further into gaming or go big in the cloud. With Amazon and it's massive prime video spending last year, does Apple and it's new TV service really want to compete with Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Sony, and Disney?</p>

    • infodave

      31 January, 2019 - 5:12 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#401043"><em>In reply to cadrethree:</em></a><em> It appears so.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

    • lvthunder

      Premium Member
      31 January, 2019 - 5:42 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#401043">In reply to cadrethree:</a></em></blockquote><p>That isn't what's at issue here. When you sign up for this certificate you tell Apple we have an app that only users in our company need so we don't want it on the store. Apple then gives you a certificate to sign the apps so they work. When Apple found out that Facebook and Google violated those terms it revoked the certificates and those apps don't work anymore. This has nothing to do with apps that are on the store.</p>

  • lvthunder

    Premium Member
    31 January, 2019 - 5:45 pm

    <p>It's great that Apple is being consistent and making the rules apply to everyone.</p>

    • zybch

      31 January, 2019 - 6:15 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#401060">In reply to lvthunder:</a></em></blockquote><p>Except themselves of course.</p>

  • carlmess

    31 January, 2019 - 9:49 pm

    <p>Would be interesting to know if Google has a similar app on Android, if so is the same technique used there?</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      01 February, 2019 - 3:06 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#401114">In reply to carlmess:</a></em></blockquote><p>No need, the app is called Android by Google.</p>

  • dontbe evil

    31 January, 2019 - 11:54 pm

    <p>no surprise from google</p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    01 February, 2019 - 3:06 am

    <p>The punishment was presented to both Google and Facebook <em>before</em> they signed up to the corporate deployment programme.</p><p>It is their own fault is they violated those conditions and have to suffer the consequences of <em>their own</em> actions.</p>

  • per

    Premium Member
    01 February, 2019 - 6:33 am

    <p>It's really great to see people cheer at Apple delivering punishments to other tech companies. An eye for an eye!</p>

  • nbplopes

    01 February, 2019 - 7:18 am

    <p>The title is misleading. That is not what Apple did and entices hate speach.</p>

    • Stooks

      01 February, 2019 - 7:45 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#401143">In reply to nbplopes:</a></em></blockquote><p>Entices hate speach????????????????</p><p><br></p><p>Drama queen much?</p>

      • nbplopes

        01 February, 2019 - 4:13 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#401144">In reply to Stooks:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Precisely.</p>

    • Tallin

      01 February, 2019 - 6:04 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#401143">In reply to nbplopes:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I don't think you really know what hate speech is, and using it in this case devalues a term that is used to mean extremely discriminatory speech against an gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc. It cannot be used regarding a company unless the reason for hating the company is because of one of the reasons above (like a certain ethnicity is said to run a company, so you hate it) </p>

      • nbplopes

        04 February, 2019 - 2:31 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#401245">In reply to Tallin:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I don’t think you understand the dynamics of contention.</p><p><br></p><p>Starts with purposely the lack of truthfulness, leading people to perceive things in the way they are not.</p><p><br></p><p>Than someone criticizes it using the same divisionary tactic and … goes down hill in the third response …</p><p><br></p><p>Unless you actually believe that Apple banned Google from something. Which you being an informed and intelligence person most probably not.</p><p><br></p><p>But most people are not informed in tech. Are you informed in medicine, in the issues of teaching, psicologia and so on? Heck, most people are not that bright either.</p><p><br></p><p>Lets not defend this practice of enticing I’ll percepetion. Just because it supports a particular “political” view that is favored by a group.</p><p><br></p><p>Which explains in part the distribution of likes and dislikes received.</p>

  • Daekar

    01 February, 2019 - 8:27 am

    <p>Glad to see this. Hopefully everyone will take this seriously from now on forward.</p>

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