Forced app download: Difference between revisions
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'''Forced app download''' is a practice committed by businesses and government entities where users must download an app on their smartphones to perform simple tasks that may have otherwise been possible on a standard web browser<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tian |first=Deyu |last2=Ma |first2=Yun |last3=Balasubramanian |first3=Aruna |last4=Liu |first4=Yunxin |last5=Gang |first5=Huang |last6=Liu |first6=Xuanzhe |date=17 Mar 2021 |title=Characterizing Embedded Web Browsing in Mobile Apps |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9380491 |journal=IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing |volume=21 |issue=11 |pages=3912 - 3925 |via=IEEE Xplore}}</ref> (e.g., adding a credit card for payments) or in real life (e.g., ordering a coffee).<!-- Although this is a theme article, and therefore has more relaxed editorial guidelines, i'm going to put a 'needs more verification' notice on this page to encourage the use of more citations. Have also put some comments throughout to highlight tonal issues/any questions I have. Very solid start on the whole though! | '''Forced app download''' is a practice committed by businesses and government entities where users must download an app on their smartphones to perform simple tasks that may have otherwise been possible on a standard web browser<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tian |first=Deyu |last2=Ma |first2=Yun |last3=Balasubramanian |first3=Aruna |last4=Liu |first4=Yunxin |last5=Gang |first5=Huang |last6=Liu |first6=Xuanzhe |date=17 Mar 2021 |title=Characterizing Embedded Web Browsing in Mobile Apps |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9380491 |journal=IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing |volume=21 |issue=11 |pages=3912 - 3925 |via=IEEE Xplore}}</ref> (e.g., adding a credit card for payments) or in real life (e.g., ordering a coffee).<!-- Although this is a theme article, and therefore has more relaxed editorial guidelines, i'm going to put a 'needs more verification' notice on this page to encourage the use of more citations. Have also put some comments throughout to highlight tonal issues/any questions I have. Very solid start on the whole though! | ||
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===Mandatory use of "approved devices" and big-tech operating systems=== | ===Mandatory use of "approved devices" and big-tech operating systems=== | ||
Most apps are only available for download on | Most apps are only available for download on official app stores, meaning consumers must use a device running stock iOS or Android, or else jump through hoops to run them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Run Android apps on Arch Linux |url=https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Android#Run_Android_apps_on_Arch_Linux |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=archlinux.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How do I get an apk file from an Android device? |url=https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4032960/how-do-i-get-an-apk-file-from-an-android-device/18003462#18003462 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Stack Overflow}}</ref> | ||
Devices must also be running stock operating systems | Devices must also be running stock operating systems, as most government and business apps conduct intrusive checks<ref>{{Cite web |title=Configure API responses (optional) |url=https://developer.android.com/google/play/integrity/setup#default |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Android Developers}}</ref> and will not run if a device is jail-broken or rooted.<!-- How prevalent is this outside singapore? also seems like a direct restatement of what was said earlier --><!-- The following block should include info about common apps that integrate these invasive measures. --> | ||
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 [[Sideloading|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 [[Sideloading|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=== | ===Surge pricing=== | ||
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Similar to how some car insurance providers in the U.S. are adjusting their rates based on "smart reporting" from cars, it is also very possible for other intrusive and oppressive pair ups to happen. For example: | Similar to how some car insurance providers in the U.S. are adjusting their rates based on "smart reporting" from cars, it is also very possible for other intrusive and oppressive pair ups to happen. For example: | ||
*Restaurants, cafes and bars with forced app download sharing data with health insurance companies, who increase | *Restaurants, cafes and bars with forced app download sharing data with health insurance companies, who increase a user's premium if they see a lifestyle/pattern of ordering unhealthy dishes or overly large portions. | ||
*Government tax agency charging | *Government tax agency charging a user "excess carbon footprint" taxes because they often order a lot of clothes beyond the number that the "Average" person of their profile wears, based on what the user's favorite fast fashion retailer with forced app download is sharing with them. | ||
===Discrimination=== | ===Discrimination=== | ||
Those who can not or do not have the required technology are further disadvantaged. Not everybody can afford a smart phone. Not everybody can operate one, differences in visual ability, physical ability, mental ability (e.g., dementia) can make smart phones unusable. Visitors, tourists, and those who have had a device lost, stolen or broken lose out. If banking requires an app, and your phone breaks, how | Those who can not or do not have the required technology are further disadvantaged. Not everybody can afford a smart phone. Not everybody can operate one, differences in visual ability, physical ability, mental ability (e.g., dementia) can make smart phones unusable. Visitors, tourists, and those who have had a device lost, stolen or broken lose out. If banking requires an app, and your phone breaks, how does one get the money to buy a replacement? | ||
===Decreased security=== | ===Decreased security=== | ||
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===Increased vulnerability in adverse circumstances=== | ===Increased vulnerability in adverse circumstances=== | ||
It may become harder to function in emergency situations. If network connections are unavailable, or power is out for an extended period, how | It may become harder to function in emergency situations. If network connections are unavailable, or power is out for an extended period, how does one get necessities? | ||
When errors are found in the app | When errors are found in the app, one may lose access to important services. With a web browser, one has alternatives. What are the alternative to the app? | ||
In domestic violence, control of devices can be one of the ways to control a person. If a device is needed to access the bank, then whoever controls that device may control the money. Even if the victim gets physical possession of a device, the other party may be able to remotely manipulate it.[[File:Digital turbine logo .png|alt=digital turbine logo |thumb|digital turbine logo ]] | In domestic violence, control of devices can be one of the ways to control a person. If a device is needed to access the bank, then whoever controls that device may control the money. Even if the victim gets physical possession of a device, the other party may be able to remotely manipulate it.[[File:Digital turbine logo .png|alt=digital turbine logo |thumb|digital turbine logo ]] | ||
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The apps generate notifications that require users to approve/deny actions like logging in via a web browser, initiating a payment, adding a payee, etc via the app itself. Some banks previously offered sending an OTP via SMS (text) as an alternative to app-based approval but this has since been discontinued for "security reasons". | The apps generate notifications that require users to approve/deny actions like logging in via a web browser, initiating a payment, adding a payee, etc via the app itself. Some banks previously offered sending an OTP via SMS (text) as an alternative to app-based approval but this has since been discontinued for "security reasons". | ||
=== | ===Insurance=== | ||
Auto insurance companies like [[Progressive]], require non policy holders effected by automotive incidents their policyholders claim to submit photos and video evidence of damages exclusively through their mobile app.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Auto insurance claims |url=https://www.progressive.com/claims/auto-process/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[Progressive]]}}</ref> Affected non-policy holders can't complete the entire claim process through their website even though you can start the process online from any device and web browser.<ref name=":0" /> | Auto insurance companies like [[Progressive]], require non policy holders effected by automotive incidents their policyholders claim to submit photos and video evidence of damages exclusively through their mobile app.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Auto insurance claims |url=https://www.progressive.com/claims/auto-process/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[Progressive]]}}</ref> Affected non-policy holders can't complete the entire claim process through their website even though you can start the process online from any device and web browser.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
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"You can use speakers without an app, but it only applies to a single speaker. If you want to play audio across multiple speakers, you will have to use the app and there is no other workaround to this." (Dec 2021)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bearson |first=Rune |date=14 December 2021 |title=Can You Use Sonos Speakers Without the App? |url=https://earrockers.com/can-you-use-sonos-speakers-without-the-app/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Ear Rockers}}</ref> | "You can use speakers without an app, but it only applies to a single speaker. If you want to play audio across multiple speakers, you will have to use the app and there is no other workaround to this." (Dec 2021)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bearson |first=Rune |date=14 December 2021 |title=Can You Use Sonos Speakers Without the App? |url=https://earrockers.com/can-you-use-sonos-speakers-without-the-app/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Ear Rockers}}</ref> | ||
=== | ===Hobbyist tools=== | ||
3D Printer manufacturer [[Bambu Lab]] forces users to bind their machines to an account via the use of an app called Bambu Handy and also forces the user to connect the machine to the internet whether they want to use LAN only mode or not. The fallout of this is that if you reset a machine and the servers are shut down the machine is a brick. [https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/x1/manual/setup-for-first-print] | 3D Printer manufacturer [[Bambu Lab]] forces users to bind their machines to an account via the use of an app called Bambu Handy and also forces the user to connect the machine to the internet whether they want to use LAN only mode or not. The fallout of this is that if you reset a machine and the servers are shut down the machine is a brick. [https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/x1/manual/setup-for-first-print] | ||
===Retail and | ===Retail and e-commerce=== | ||
E-commerce giant [[Shopee]], which has a strong hold in online retail in South East Asia and Latin America, has integrated a soft forced app download to their customer experience. | |||
While it is still possible to browse, shop and checkout on a web browser, coupons usable on the web experience (regardless if mobile or desktop device) are limited to "Shipping Discount" coupons only. All other shopping coupons "Discount & Cashback" are only usable with Shopee's apps on iOS and Android. | While it is still possible to browse, shop and checkout on a web browser, coupons usable on the web experience (regardless if mobile or desktop device) are limited to "Shipping Discount" coupons only. All other shopping coupons "Discount & Cashback" are only usable with Shopee's apps on iOS and Android. | ||
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[[Category:Anti-Consumer_Practices]] | [[Category:Anti-Consumer_Practices]] | ||
[[Category:Common terms]] | [[Category:Common terms]] | ||
[[Category:Theme]] | |||
<references /> | <references /> | ||