Apple reverses course on death of Progressive Web Apps in EU (appleinsider.com)

Article summary

Apple has reversed its decision to remove Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) support in the EU, following complaints and a threat of investigation by the European Commission. The company will continue to support PWAs built on WebKit, its own browser engine. This change comes as part of Apple's efforts to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to promote competition and fairness in the digital market. The DMA has a deadline of March 8 for implementation.

Main themes

• Apple and EU regulations
• Progressive Web Apps
• Digital Markets Act
• browser engine competition
• security and privacy concerns
• anti-competitive behavior

What commenters say

• Apple's initial decision to remove PWA support was a punitive move to resist the DMA, and the reversal is a sign of the company's reluctance to comply with regulations.
• The reversal is a result of further clarification and negotiation between Apple and EU regulators, rather than a malicious attempt to undermine the DMA.
• Allowing only WebKit-based PWAs is still a form of anti-competitive behavior, as it limits the choice of browser engines and favors Apple's own technology.
• The DMA's goal of promoting competition and fairness is being undermined by Apple's actions, which prioritize the company's own interests over those of consumers and developers.
• The security concerns cited by Apple are not a valid reason to limit PWA support, as other browser engines can be made secure with proper implementation and oversight.
• The real motivation behind Apple's actions is to maintain its control over the app market and revenue streams, rather than any genuine concern for security or user experience.