Forced app download: Difference between revisions
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Forced app download is becoming increasingly popular in many countries pushing digitization. A prime example is Singapore whose government is all-in on digital everything, where it is impossible for anyone to have a bank account without using the bank's app, and everyone must have a device that runs stock iOS or Android in order to download various government and business apps from their respective official app stores. Devices must also be running stock operating systems, since most government and business apps conduct intrusive checks and require extensive technical knowledge to run if a device is jailbroken or rooted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Oct 2023 |title=App compatibility with GrapheneOS |url=https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/8330-app-compatibility-with-grapheneos |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=grapheneos.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fix Play Integrity (and SafetyNet) verdicts. |url=https://github.com/chiteroman/PlayIntegrityFix |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=GitHub}}</ref> | Forced app download is becoming increasingly popular in many countries pushing digitization. A prime example is Singapore whose government is all-in on digital everything, where it is impossible for anyone to have a bank account without using the bank's app, and everyone must have a device that runs stock iOS or Android in order to download various government and business apps from their respective official app stores. Devices must also be running stock operating systems, since most government and business apps conduct intrusive checks and require extensive technical knowledge to run if a device is jailbroken or rooted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Oct 2023 |title=App compatibility with GrapheneOS |url=https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/8330-app-compatibility-with-grapheneos |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=grapheneos.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fix Play Integrity (and SafetyNet) verdicts. |url=https://github.com/chiteroman/PlayIntegrityFix |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=GitHub}}</ref> | ||
Most companies<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naprys |first=Ernestas |date=27 Mar 2024 |title=Facebook may have exploited user devices to spy on competitors, documents show |url=https://cybernews.com/news/facebook-spying-snapchat-youtube-amazon-installing-kits/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=cybernews}}</ref> (and likely most governments)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunduke |first=Bryan |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=The Pokemon Go Spying Conspiracy Theory? Yeah. It's Verified. |url=https://lunduke.substack.com/p/the-pokemon-go-spying-conspiracy |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=The Lunduke Journal of Technology}}</ref> | Most companies<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naprys |first=Ernestas |date=27 Mar 2024 |title=Facebook may have exploited user devices to spy on competitors, documents show |url=https://cybernews.com/news/facebook-spying-snapchat-youtube-amazon-installing-kits/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=cybernews}}</ref> (and likely most governments)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunduke |first=Bryan |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=The Pokemon Go Spying Conspiracy Theory? Yeah. It's Verified. |url=https://lunduke.substack.com/p/the-pokemon-go-spying-conspiracy |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=The Lunduke Journal of Technology}}</ref> find forcing app downloads more favorable for a multitude of reasons, such as:<!-- tone needs to be a little calmer here. Still persuasive, but calmer. - Unknown | ||
Fixed it to be more neutral in tone. I believe the section below could do with some revisions though... - JamesTDG --> | |||
==Characteristics== | #'''Identification and tracking of users''' - not just on an account level and payments, but through deep device identifiers, location, and network connection.{{Citation needed}} | ||
#'''Push of the cashless agenda''' - digital-only payments typically go hand-in-hand with app-only experiences. | |||
#'''Increased digital integration''' - endless possibilities of integrating and sharing data with payment processors,{{Citation needed}} ad providers,{{Citation needed}} and more. | |||
#'''Increased centralization and dependency on big companies''' - putting more power in the hands of big tech (Apple and Google) with mandatory official app store downloads and big payments (Visa and MasterCard){{Citation needed}} with forced digital payments | |||
==Characteristics <!-- Some 'citation needed' notices below are not *as* mandatory, but it improves the credibility - JamesTDG -->== | |||
Forced app download involves: | Forced app download involves: | ||
#'''Forcing download and use of app to interact with a business''' - Basic tasks like ordering, making payments, changing settings. | #'''Forcing download and use of app to interact with a business''' - Basic tasks like ordering,{{Citation needed}} making payments, changing settings.{{Citation needed}} | ||
#'''Deliberately crippling or removing functionality from the web experience''' - Prevent users from having an alternative interface to perform basic tasks. | #'''Deliberately crippling or removing functionality from the web experience''' - Prevent users from having an alternative interface to perform basic tasks.{{Citation needed}} | ||
#'''Forcing users to always be on the latest version of an app''' - "For your security" (as they usually claim), most of these apps will constantly check for the latest version and self-disable if they are older than | #'''Forcing users to always be on the latest version of an app''' - "For your security" (as they usually claim), most of these apps will constantly check for the latest version and self-disable if they are older than x-version.{{Citation needed}} (varies by company)<!-- Imgur example: https://imgur.com/gallery/i-hate-this-type-of-bgGI7LR - JamesTDG --> | ||
#'''Mandatory use of account''' - For most of these apps to work, you must have an account for features to work. For example, with | #'''Mandatory use of account''' - For most of these apps to work, you must have an account for features to work.{{Citation needed}} For example, making an order with Luckin Coffee mandates installing the app and creating an account tied to a personal phone number;{{Citation needed}} guests are disallowed from making orders incognito.{{Citation needed}}<!-- Citation actually needed here --> | ||
==Key implications== | ==Key implications== | ||
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Some companies such as big banks in Singapore have also started incorporating checks for "unverified apps" in their app. This means their app will scan your phone and check for sideloaded apps (anywhere that is not the official app store. For example, an app downloaded directly from APK Mirror or an unofficial app repository like F-Droid) as part of "anti-scam security measures that include restricting customers from accessing the banks’ digital services on their mobile phones if apps from unverified app stores – also known as sideloaded apps – are detected"<ref>{{Cite web |last=See Kit |first=Tang |date=26 Sep 2023 |title=DBS, UOB become latest banks to restrict access if unverified apps are found on customers' phones |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-uob-anti-scam-sideloaded-app-malware-measure-latest-bank-restrict-app-access-3796806 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Channel News Asia}}</ref> | Some companies such as big banks in Singapore have also started incorporating checks for "unverified apps" in their app. This means their app will scan your phone and check for sideloaded apps (anywhere that is not the official app store. For example, an app downloaded directly from APK Mirror or an unofficial app repository like F-Droid) as part of "anti-scam security measures that include restricting customers from accessing the banks’ digital services on their mobile phones if apps from unverified app stores – also known as sideloaded apps – are detected"<ref>{{Cite web |last=See Kit |first=Tang |date=26 Sep 2023 |title=DBS, UOB become latest banks to restrict access if unverified apps are found on customers' phones |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-uob-anti-scam-sideloaded-app-malware-measure-latest-bank-restrict-app-access-3796806 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Channel News Asia}}</ref> | ||
=== | ===Surge pricing=== | ||
{{Main|Surge Pricing}} | |||
So far, the implementation of surge pricing in the context of businesses that use forced app download has not yet been seen. However, trust that the enterprising individuals and ecommerce platform providers (especially "modern headless ecommerce" companies<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cicman |first=Joe |last2=Pfeiffer |first2=Emily |date=3 May 2022 |title=Doing, Selling, And Being Headless Commerce |url=https://www.forrester.com/blogs/doing-selling-and-being-headless-commerce/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Forrester}}</ref>) looking to maximize clean out of consumers' wallets will quickly develop and deploy surge pricing once businesses with forced app download gain sufficient footing both in their respective industries and in general market penetration.<!-- rather than making this assertion, maybe try and find come companies who have proposed/patented systems to this end? Also tone gets a bit strong here --><!-- I'll come back later and finish this up once I have more time to look at relevant examples. --> | So far, the implementation of surge pricing in the context of businesses that use forced app download has not yet been seen. However, trust that the enterprising individuals and ecommerce platform providers (especially "modern headless ecommerce" companies<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cicman |first=Joe |last2=Pfeiffer |first2=Emily |date=3 May 2022 |title=Doing, Selling, And Being Headless Commerce |url=https://www.forrester.com/blogs/doing-selling-and-being-headless-commerce/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Forrester}}</ref>) looking to maximize clean out of consumers' wallets will quickly develop and deploy surge pricing once businesses with forced app download gain sufficient footing both in their respective industries and in general market penetration.<!-- rather than making this assertion, maybe try and find come companies who have proposed/patented systems to this end? Also tone gets a bit strong here --><!-- I'll come back later and finish this up once I have more time to look at relevant examples. --> | ||
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When a customer attempts to check out on a web browser, Shopee shows that Discount & Cashback coupons are not usable because "Current device does not meet voucher T&C". On closer inspection of the terms and conditions of those coupons, Shopee specifies "Device: iOS, Android". What they are referring to is you must download and use their mobile apps for those operating systems in order to use most of their coupons. As pictured, the coupons are still not available on iOS and Android devices if the customer is using their web browser. They MUST download the Shopee app. | When a customer attempts to check out on a web browser, Shopee shows that Discount & Cashback coupons are not usable because "Current device does not meet voucher T&C". On closer inspection of the terms and conditions of those coupons, Shopee specifies "Device: iOS, Android". What they are referring to is you must download and use their mobile apps for those operating systems in order to use most of their coupons. As pictured, the coupons are still not available on iOS and Android devices if the customer is using their web browser. They MUST download the Shopee app. | ||
[[File:Shopee restricts coupon usage to app only.png|thumb|LEFT: Shopee limits customers to using "Shipping Discount" coupons only if checking out on a web browser (desktop and mobile). | [[File:Shopee restricts coupon usage to app only.png|thumb|'''LEFT:''' Shopee limits customers to using "Shipping Discount" coupons only if checking out on a web browser (desktop and mobile). '''MIDDLE:''' All other shopping coupons "Discount & Cashback" are only usable with Shopee's apps on iOS and Android. | ||
MIDDLE: All other shopping coupons "Discount & Cashback" are only usable with Shopee's apps on iOS and Android | |||
'''RIGHT:''' Closer inspection of the terms and conditions where Shopee specifies a device requirement for using many of their coupons. | |||
Using a web browser on iOS and Android does not count and coupons in question remain disabled in this scenario.]] | When Shopee specifies "Device: iOS, Android", they mean customers must download and use their mobile apps for those operating systems in order to use most of their coupons. Using a web browser on iOS and Android does not count and coupons in question remain disabled in this scenario.]] | ||
[[File:Shopee coupon still unusable on mobile web.jpg|thumb|Using a web browser on iOS and Android does not count and coupons with the device requirement remain disabled. What Shopee means by "Device: iOS, Android" in their coupons' terms and conditions is that customers MUST download and use the Shopee app for those coupons to be usable.]] | [[File:Shopee coupon still unusable on mobile web.jpg|thumb|Using a web browser on iOS and Android does not count and coupons with the device requirement remain disabled. What Shopee means by "Device: iOS, Android" in their coupons' terms and conditions is that customers MUST download and use the Shopee app for those coupons to be usable.]] | ||
===Food and beverage=== | ===Food and beverage=== | ||
An increasing number of 'digital-native' food businesses that are app-only are making their way onto the market. For example, Luckin Coffee, a Starbucks competitor | An increasing number of 'digital-native' food businesses that are app-only are making their way onto the market. For example, Luckin Coffee, a Starbucks competitor from China, with stores in Singapore and planned expansion into Malaysia and the US in 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Oct 2024 |title=China’s Luckin Coffee reportedly planning US launch in 2025 |url=https://www.worldcoffeeportal.com/Latest/News/2024/October/China-s-Luckin-Coffee-reportedly-planning-US-launc |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=World Coffee Portal}}</ref>, only allows ordering of beverages and payments via its app. The way it works is you download the app, register an account, log in, order a coffee and pay for it, then pick it up at a Luckin Coffee location. "With Luckin, you do not order coffee over the counter like in regular Western coffee shops. Instead, you do everything online. I ordered my drinks here without even needing to talk to the Barista!"<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 Jan 2024 |title=I Taste Tested 3 Signature Luckin Coffee Drinks, Photos (Creamy Dreamy, Big Cheesy, Coconut Latte) |url=https://www.clearlycoffee.com/review-signature-luckin-coffee-drinks-photos-creamy-dreamy-big-cheesy-coconut-latte/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Clearly Coffee}}</ref> | ||
With a food-and-beverage business that is fully committed to forced app | With a food-and-beverage business that is fully committed to forced app downloads like Luckin Coffee, there is no way to order nor pay at the physical store. You must download and use the app to interact with the business. | ||
Forced app download represents the next stage of evolution from QR code based ordering. The key differences are: | Forced app download represents the next stage of evolution from QR code based ordering. The key differences are: | ||