I was wondering why my WASM app <https://stefanolt...

# random

[Stefan Oltmann]

I was wondering why my WASM app https://stefanoltmann.github.io/exif-viewer/ does not work even in Chrome or Firefox on my iPhone until I learned this: „Chrome for iOS continues to use WebKit because Apple requires that web browsers on that platform must do so.“

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebKit

That’s so Apple 😂

[electrolobzik]

Maybe it really makes sense in terms of security..

[Stefan Oltmann]

I bet that’s Apples view. No one can do it better than Apple, says Apple. 😄

[hfhbd]

Just wait until DSA is in full effect

[Youssef Shoaib [MOD]]

My understanding is it is to do with "not allowing arbitrary code execution and emulation in apps" and since JS qualifies as such, shipping V8 is not allowed.
It's one of those things that will get an anti-trust lawsuit against it and will be allowed eventually, just like how Apple is getting forced to allow sideloading, and Google is getting forced to allow new payment platforms on its play store.
Maybe this is a dev POV, but I think it's ridiculous to restrict apps in such a way. As long as there are no security flaws with an implementation, apps should be able to use whatever payment platform, code execution library, etc. I understand that content moderation is an issue, but I don't see how simply using Webkit and taking someone to an arbitrary URL is any safer than arbitrary code exec.

[Stefan Oltmann]

Very good insights, thank you 🙂

[Stefan Oltmann]

It's interesting how Firefox & Chrome on macOS are allowed to use their own engines. But I guess that has historical reasons that Apple is less strict on macOS.

[itnoles]

Apple said like "Sideloading is bad, m'kay!"

[itnoles]

@Youssef Shoaib [MOD] I wouldn't expect Apple to support sideloading in the US unless the US Congress forces them to do it.

[Youssef Shoaib [MOD]]

Of course. I wonder if some VPN + setting your region loophole would allow non-EU folks to take advantage of that. I think as long as such a feature is easily accessible in one region, there will likely be a way to enable it anywhere for a somewhat tech-savvy user. It's still a useful step, and it provides some motivation for US Congress to even consider the possibility

[itnoles]

"_Based on our findings, the new system internally called “countryd” was silently added with iOS 16.2, but is not being actively used for anything so far. It combines multiple data such as current GPS location, country code from the Wi-Fi router, and information obtained from the SIM card to determine the country the user is in."_

[itnoles]

sounds like Apple would make sideloading useless if you step outside of EU

[itnoles]

@Youssef Shoaib [MOD] "The United States, for example, is considering legislation that would require Apple to allow sideloading." I hold my breath.

[Big Chungus]

Lol, they are copying some ideas from Microsoft. Similar story to how MS only truly respects your browser choice in EU (after being forced to ofc), but still push edge outside of it.

[Big Chungus]

They could take a step further and hard enforce no sideloading on all devices shipped to non-EU market as opposed to relying on geolocation.

[Big Chungus]

Something like two OS flavours would do the job