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In a recent discussion about the removal of the game Fortnite by Google and Apple, the CEO of Coinbase intervened saying that Apple is very hostile to crypto.
Apple has been very restrictive and hostile to cryptocurrency over the years. They're still blocking some functionality right now, including the ability to earn money with cryptocurrency by completing tasks, and unrestricted dapp browsers.
— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) August 22, 2020
Unfortunately, as some readers may remember, last year the Coinbase app feature that allowed interacting with various dApps was removed from Apple’s store for “security reasons”.
In light of recent events, it’s clear that the tyranny of centralized platforms like Apple and Google is an obstacle for all those decentralized applications that want to reach more users.
Coinbase vs Apple
It is worth mentioning, among other things, that both platforms retain 30% of the earnings from their applications, so 1/3 is pocketed by the stores.
As if that were not enough, an application must pass a series of checks and conditions dictated by the two companies, Google and Apple, before being approved.
Some of these assessments are arbitrary and have no objective basis, creating obstructionism for all those projects that are revolutionary or would make it easier for users, for example, to enter the crypto and blockchain world.
Some might argue that it would be enough to upload the application file to a website and let the user download the app, however, this involves 2 major problems:
- It’s only possible for Android apps and not for iOS apps, as they have to come from the store;
- Criminals could clone the website and create a malicious app that steals the victim’s data, as was seen in the scam linked to the Yoroi wallet of the Cardano blockchain.
The CEO of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, then added that several applications that allow earning crypto with simple tasks, or even dApp browser, are blocked by Apple and Google. The two giants are making it impossible for these apps to work properly, a sign that perhaps both of them don’t want anything to do with crypto.