• Digital Markets Act and Apple's compliance
• Background of Alex Moore and James Moore, founders of Open Web Advocacy group
• Origins of Open Web Advocacy group and its mission
• History of browser technology and web app development on iOS
• Apple's restrictions on browser engines and limitations on feature parity with native apps
• Forking of WebKit and Blink, and its impact on Safari and mobile web app development
• Apple's lack of support for push notifications in web apps on iOS
• The limitations of Safari WebKit and its impact on web app development
• The reasons behind Apple's reluctance to invest in Safari, including a lack of competitive pressure from browser competition on iOS
• The efforts of developers to raise awareness about the issue through posts at WWDC and emails to the WebKit mailing list
• The eventual decision to form a group and go to regulators to advocate for change
• WebKit has security bugs and limitations that affect user experience
• Apple's control over WebKit means they can choose which features to include or exclude from their iOS builds
• The App Store generates significant revenue for Apple (estimated $20 billion in one year) through its 30% commission on app sales
• This creates an economic incentive for Apple to limit web apps and prevent them from becoming a competitor to native apps
• Apple's internal emails suggest that they have been aware of the threat posed by web apps since at least 2011
• iOS browser market share and its impact on web apps
• Google's relationship with Apple and Safari as default search engine
• Google's financial incentives for controlling the default search engine on iOS
• Potential implications of Microsoft offering a competing deal to Apple
• The economic models of various browsers (Google, Firefox, Edge) and their reliance on search revenue
• Impact of Apple's control over the iOS browser market on competition and innovation
• Anti-competitive behavior in browser development
• The impact of a lack of competition on web app features and innovation
• Efforts to contact regulators (UK Competitions and Markets Authority) and present concerns around anti-competitive behavior
• Regulatory pressure leading to changes in Apple's WebKit development, including the implementation of notifications after 11-12 years of requests
• The Digital Markets Act and its potential impact on browser competition and regulation globally
• Other countries (Japan, UK, Australia) considering similar regulations and adopting recommendations from regulators
• Global efforts to combat issues in browser competition and web app development
• The Digital Markets Act (DMA) applies to large companies operating platforms with significant market power in the EU.
• Gatekeepers are defined as companies with massive user adoption and revenue, currently including Google, Apple, Meta, ByteDance, Microsoft, Amazon, Twitter/X, and Booking.com.
• The DMA aims to promote fairness and contestability by preventing gatekeepers from using their control of platforms to self-advantage or extract excessive fees.
• There are specific rules for core platform services, including operating systems, browsers, messaging services, social networks, and ad networks.
• Designated browsers include Chrome and Safari, while designated operating systems include Android, iOS, and Windows (with iPadOS excluded).
• Browser engine competition and web app competition were added to the DMA through advocacy efforts after initially being absent from the legislation.
• Market investigation reference in the UK (Browsers and Cloud Gaming) due to anti-competitive behavior by Apple
• Investigation focuses on Apple's restrictions on other browsers, particularly Safari's default status and control over iOS App Store
• Google also under investigation for impeding browser competition on Android through complex contracts with OEMs
• Discussion of anti-competitive behaviors by large tech companies, including defaults and "dark patterns" to push users towards their own products
• Introduction of choice screens to combat the power of default and promote user choice
• Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations and their implications for tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft
• Browser competition and market dominance, with Chrome's promotional practices in non-Chromium browsers discussed
• The issue of gatekeepers using their dominant positions to push other products or services
• Regulating anti-competitive behaviors, such as leveraging successful platforms to gain unfair market share
• Edge browser's use of "dark patterns" and its impact on consumer choice
• Google's exclusive WebAPK minting process for Chrome and the need for it to be opened up to other browser vendors
• The comparison of tech giants' behaviors under DMA regulations, with Apple being highlighted as causing more damage to browser competition
• Discussion on compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA)
• Apple's initial non-compliance with the DMA
• Analysis of Apple's publication of their compliance report and its omissions
• Description of the breaking changes introduced in iOS 17.4, including removal of web app support
• Debate about whether the changes were intentional or a bug
• Discussion of the implications of Apple's actions on developers and users
• Decision by Apple to remove a specific web functionality
• Concerns from web developers and businesses about the impact on their services
• Efforts by Open Web Advocacy (OWA) to raise awareness and gather evidence of the damage
• Surveys conducted by OWA to quantify the effect on businesses and users
• Negative reaction from developers, including concerns about rebuilding native apps
• Combination of public pressure, negative press, and EU investigation contributing to Apple's reversal of decision
• The Safari and WebKit team were unhappy with decisions made by higher-ups regarding web apps
• Apple initially planned to remove functionality from EU users, then changed their mind and kept it
• The Digital Markets Act (DMA) aims to regulate gatekeepers like Apple and promote interoperability and competition
• Apple is seen as the most belligerent non-complier with the DMA, facing potential fines of up to 10% of global revenue ($78 billion)
• Spotify and Netflix have stopped allowing users to sign up for their apps through the app store due to Apple's 30% commission
• Apple's proposed contract for other browser engines on iOS has unreasonable conditions that go beyond security standards
• Apple's decision to restrict third-party browser engines in iOS
• Web app developers' experience with Apple's App Store fees and gatekeeper policies
• Regulatory response to Apple's actions, including a quote from the European Commission on DMA requirements
• The difficulty of making web app issues visible and relatable to non-technical consumers
• The importance of economic and market economics concepts in explaining harm caused by gatekeepers
• Strategies for developers to campaign for equality and browser competition globally
• Gatekeeping by app stores hinders freedom of expression and innovation on the web
• Advocacy efforts aim to promote a healthy, open web despite closed ecosystems
• Volunteers are needed for various tasks, including spreading awareness, writing grants, and helping with regulatory work
• Donations and corporate support are also crucial to furthering the cause
• The goal is to achieve global uniformity in browser and web app competition
• Critics who claim this is a "Google agenda" are refuted, as the aim is for browsers to compete on merit rather than through control or manipulation
• Agenda for next week
• Meeting adjournment