https://9to5mac.com/2018/07/21/india-anti-spam-app-revision/amp/
The India Telecom Regulatory Authority, or TRAI, has introduced a new revision to its policy focused on reducing spam calls and text messages in the country. Part of that policy is a requirement that carriers allow customers to download a 'Do Not Disturb' application that would let them report spam calls and messages.
Apple, however, has long refused to allow the application on the App Store over privacy concerns. Essentially, the app would require access to call and message logs, which Apple was not willing to offer.
This week, however, TRAI published new regulations that mandate all customers be allowed to install the Do Not Disturb application on their device, whether they use iPhone or iPad. TRAI explained that companies and carriers have six months to ensure all smartphone devices allow the application, as reported by India Today.
If companies like Apple continue to resist the Indian government's anti-spam app, TRAI says it will force carriers to remove those devices from their networks. This means that, theoretically, all iPhones would lose access to 3G, 4G, and voice service
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Apple Comes Under Media Fire in China
Apple Inc. has come under fire by Chinese state media, which claims the U.S. technology giant isn't doing enough to block texts and images trafficking in prohibited content including pornography, gambling and counterfeit goods.
In a barrage that began last week, China's state-controlled news agency Xinhua and at least four state-supported media outlets have published criticism of Apple for not doing enough to filter banned content on its iMessage service.
State broadcaster CCTV joined in Tuesday on another front, saying Apple's app store allowed illegal gambling apps disguised as official lottery apps.
[...] On Monday, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other top government agencies said they would impose new requirements requiring mobile-phone makers to include spam-filtering features.
Also at 9to5Mac.
Related: India Regulator Threatens to Ban Iphones Over Anti-Spam App
(Score: 3, Insightful) by SparkyGSX on Monday July 23 2018, @08:50AM (3 children)
So, it seems Apple refuses to allow a government-controlled app that has full access to call and message logs; that sounds perfectly reasonable. There may be a "good" reason and a "real" reason for this app to be mandatory for carriers. I wonder what the government would do if Apple made its own, compatible app with similar functionality, but without the possibility for abuse of the data by the government.
If you do what you did, you'll get what you got
(Score: 5, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 23 2018, @11:02AM
Well, if it can't be abused by the government then it won't have "similar functionality".
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 23 2018, @01:44PM (1 child)
Why would the government need to grab this data from the phones themselves? If they want it, they can just collect it from the telcos themselves, just like the NSA does.
I seriously doubt this is about spying. It would be quite amateurish and fail to collect anything from those who just reflash their phone or use dumbphones...
By extension, this is likely not Apple standing up for consumer rights but more likely just posturing to at the same time gain leverage in economic negotiations as well as making them look good to their fanboys.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday July 23 2018, @02:23PM
Why should India want to collect data from the telcos like the NSA, when they could instead have the telcos actively send them all the data, all the time, in real time.
It's like sitting around doing nothing and expecting a paycheck . . . . when you could instead be getting direct deposit.
Infinity is clearly an even number since the next higher number is odd.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 23 2018, @09:11AM (4 children)
"Our customers are our bitches, and we have the right to fuck them any way, any how and any where we like" - Apple.
Its the American way
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 23 2018, @10:01AM (2 children)
Yeah, well, my left ear is getting sore. How about a nice wet armpit?
(Score: 2) by Subsentient on Monday July 23 2018, @12:53PM
We need a +1 "flavor" moderation option.
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." -Jiddu Krishnamurti
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Monday July 23 2018, @05:02PM
Hey! That's ovblown! You are now allowed to remove the U2 album, you know!
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday July 23 2018, @02:26PM
OWWWW! Apple!!! Ouch! You're holding it wrong!
Maybe an Apple free India wouldn't be such a bad thing. America could see it as a model for inspiration.
Infinity is clearly an even number since the next higher number is odd.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 23 2018, @04:15PM
Is there a maemo version for my debian based N900?
Do they provide so source code so I could be "allowed" to compile it myself?
Won't somebody think of the obstinate children who insist on a physical keyboard with a ctrl key?!