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To catch you up , security system researcherTommy MyskandOpen Web Advocacyfirst noticed that PWAshad been demotedto website shortcuts with the release of the second genus Beta of iOS 17.4 . Initially , it was unclear if this was a genus Beta bug — strange things have happened — or if it was mean to undermine the functionality of PWAs in the EU , a securities industry where Apple is now being pressure to permit alternative app stock , third - party payments , and alternative web browser engine , among other thing . In the genus Beta , PWAs , which typically allow web apps to work and feel more like aboriginal iOS apps , were no longer working . developer noticed that these web apps would open like a bookmarker keep to your Home Screen or else .
AsMacRumorspointed out at the time , that think of no “ consecrated windowing , apprisal , or long - terminus local storage”;iOS16.4 also allowed PWAs to badge their iconswith notification , as aboriginal apps could . Beta substance abuser of Io 17.4 report that when they opened a web app while lam the iOS beta , the system would postulate them if they wanted to give the app in Safari or cancel . The message indicates that the web app will “ open in your nonpayment internet browser from now on , ” it said . Afterward , users said they experienced issues with information loss , as a Safari website shortcut does n’t offer local memory . notification also no longer worked .
Still , there was reasonableness to be cautious about whether or not the change was intentional . Multiple stave at TechCrunch repeatedly asked Apple for remark but received no response . ( We had want to experience if the company would confirm if this was a genus Beta hemipteron or an designed change , and if the latter , what Apple ’s reasoning for it was . ) After the next genus Beta press release emerge , The Vergeran a report bespeak that Apple“looks like“breaking PWAs in the EU , after also not likely mother a formal response from the technical school whale .
Now Apple has responded , in its way of life . Today , it updated itswebsite detail its DMA - related changes in the EUto address the thing . In a new update , the company explains how it ’s had to make so many changes to the iOS to comply with the EU guidelines that go forward bread and butter for PWAs was merely off the mesa .
Traditionally , the iOS system provided keep for Home Screen web apps by building straightaway on WebKit ( Safari ’s web internet browser engine ) and its security measures architecture , Apple read . That allow web apps to align with the same security measure and privateness models as found in other aboriginal apps . But with the DMA , Apple is being pull to allow alternative browser app engines . It argues that without the isolation and enforcement of the formula applied to WebKit - based web apps , malicious apps could be installed that could do things like understand data from other web apps or “ profit access to a user ’s tv camera , microphone or location without a drug user ’s consent , ” Apple said .
“ Addressing the complex security and privacy concerns tie in with World Wide Web apps using alternate web browser engines would require building an entirely Modern integration architecture that does not currently live in iOS and was not practical to undertake give the other demands of the DMA and the very low user espousal of Home Screen web apps . And so , to comply with the DMA ’s requirements , we had to take the Home Screen web apps feature in the EU , ” the website reads .
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The company inform EU user they will be able to access websites from their Home Screen through bookmarks as a result of the change , confirming developers ’ concern that PWAs were efficaciously being disabled in the EU .
“ We expect this change to strike a pocket-size number of drug user . Still , we regret any impingement this change — that was made as part of the work to comply with the DMA — may have on developer of Home Screen web apps and our user , ” Apple say .
Criticshavearguedthat Apple ’s desire to hold on to its power in the iOS app ecosystem was so strong that it would break down WWW app functionality for users of its devices . Apple ’s defenders , meanwhile , will credibly reason that the companionship ’s explanation is fair and aligns with Apple ’s desire to keep Io safe for its users . The truth , as it often does , likely lies more in the centre .
Apple still has not responded to request for comment .
