WebKit will delete all local storage after 7 days (ar.al)

Article summary

Apple's WebKit has announced that it will delete all local storage after 7 days, which may effectively block offline web apps and decentralized apps using the browser as a trusted replication node. The author argues that this decision kills offline web apps and harms the future of privacy, despite Apple's claims of protecting user privacy. The author also points out inconsistencies in Apple's approach to privacy, citing the Apple News app as an example of surveillance capitalism. An update to the WebKit post clarifies that web applications added to the home screen will not be affected by the 7-day cap on script-writable storage.

Main themes

• offline web apps
• decentralized applications
• privacy protection
• surveillance capitalism
• Apple's approach to privacy
• web development and innovation
• native apps vs web applications

What commenters say

• The decision to delete local storage after 7 days will harm the development of offline web apps and decentralized applications.
• Apple's move is a step towards protecting user privacy, but it may have unintended consequences for certain types of web applications.
• The distinction between web applications added to the home screen and those used in Safari is unclear and may lead to confusion.
• The update to the WebKit post does not fully address the concerns about the impact on offline web apps and decentralized applications.
• Apple's approach to privacy is inconsistent, and the company should apply the same privacy protections to all its products and services.
• The deletion of local storage after 7 days may not be effective in preventing tracking and surveillance capitalism.
• The decision may be motivated by a desire to promote the App Store and native apps over web applications.
• The impact of the decision on the future of the web and the development of decentralized applications is a topic of ongoing debate and discussion.