TechCrunch:
It looks like Facebook is not the only one abusing Apple’s system for distributing employee-only apps to sidestep the App Store and collect extensive data on users. Google has been running an app called Screenwise Meter, which bears a strong resemblance to the app distributed by Facebook Research that has now been barred by Apple, TechCrunch has learned.
In its app, Google invites users aged 18 and up (or 13 if part of a family group) to download the app by way of a special code and registration process using an Enterprise Certificate. That’s the same type of policy violation that led Apple to shut down Facebook’s similar Research VPN iOS app, which had the knock-on effect of also disabling usage of Facebook’s legitimate employee-only apps — which run on the same Facebook Enterprise Certificate — and making Facebook look very iffy in the process.
Surprising no one, Google may be as guilty as Facebook. Will Apple punish Google as it did Facebook?
It would have to.
The simultaneity of these reports almost make me feel as though F & G have had conversations about how best to subvert Apple’s security.
Was there any sort of consent decree agreed to when Google was fined for the Safari-subversion fiasco?
Wonder how those regulators will view this?
Depends on who appointed them.
I’d be surprised if Apple’s first move against Facebook was revoking the certificate. Likely they were warned several times first. I’m just guessing here, but revoking an enterprise certificate doesn’t seem like a first move.
I’d expect Google will get the same or slightly harsher treatment. (Harsher because Apple’s gone through this once already, not because Google is Google.)