Apple recently confirmed that it would continue to provide support for Home Screen web apps in the European Union (EU). This change of heart comes after the tech giant’s earlier announcement to remove this feature as part of its compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Towards this, the company received significant criticism from organizations like Open Web Advocacy, saying that it would render specific categories of apps unviable.
Referred to as progressive web apps (PWAs), Home Screen web apps were reportedly on the verge of elimination due to complicated security and privacy concerns. In order to accommodate alternative browser engines, Apple would have had to design a new integration architecture for iOS, a task it deemed impractical, given the DMA’s demands and low user adoption of the feature.
Contrarily, Apple now maintains that these apps will remain operative as they always have in the EU, providing assurance that all Home Screen web apps will continue being powered by WebKit, irrespective of usage through Safari or otherwise.
Reiterating its reason for turning back the initial decision, Apple recently issued a statement that read, “We’ve received several requests to continue supporting Home Screen web apps on iOS. Hence, we’ll persevere to offer the current Home Screen web apps ability in the EU. This move will ensure these apps still get built directly on WebKit and its security structure, keeping in line with the security and privacy model for native apps on iOS.”
The company’s about-face, interpreted as a response to DMA’s ambiguous guidelines, shows its willingness to reinterpret and navigate complexities for the benefit of its users and developers. The baffling guidelines earlier led Apple to believe that to abide by them, it had to extend PWA support for alternative browser engines – an assumption it rescinded following substantial attention and criticism.
In my opinion, Apple’s initial decision reflected inadequate interpretation of DMA’s guidelines, but its subsequent reversal highlights its commitment to its user base. Despite the DMA’s ambiguity, Apple’s readiness to reconsider and adapt to feedback is commendable. Phew, that was a close call!
Apple will make this announcement official on its Developer website soon, staying transparent by also keeping the initial explanation available.
You may want to keep a close eye on this space for more updates!
P.S. Don’t forget to follow Chance if you’re interested in these developments – you can find him on Threads, Twitter, Instagram, and Mastodon.
Vocabulary List:
- Repercussion (noun): An unintended consequence occurring some time after an event or actionespecially an unwelcome one.
- Compliance (noun): The action or fact of complying with a wish or command.
- Assurance (noun): A promise or statement that gives confidence.
- Ambiguous (adjective): Open to more than one interpretation.
- Impractical (adjective): Not practical or useful in a particular situation.
- Persevere (verb): To continue trying to do something in a determined way despite experiencing difficulties.
