Forced app download: Difference between revisions

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'''Forced app download''' is a practice by businesses and government entities, where users are forced to download an app to their phones to perform basic tasks that could have otherwise been done on a standard web browser<ref>[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9380491 ~~D. Tian, Y. Ma, A. Balasubramanian, Y. Liu, G. Huang and X. Liu, "Characterizing Embedded Web Browsing in Mobile Apps," in~~ IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing~~, vol.~~ 21~~, no.~~ 11~~, pp.~~ 3912-3925~~, 1 Nov. 2022, doi: 10.1109/TMC.2021.3065945.]~~</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 by businesses and government entities, where users are forced to download an app to their phones to perform basic tasks that could have otherwise been done 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!

-Keith -->

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>https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/8330-app-compatibility-with-grapheneos</ref><ref>https://github.com/chiteroman/PlayIntegrityFix</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>https://cybernews.com/news/facebook-spying-snapchat-youtube-amazon-installing-kits/</ref> (and likely most governments)<ref>https://lunduke.substack.com/p/the-pokemon-go-spying-conspiracy</ref> would love for this to happen in more countries across the globe because forced app download allows for:

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> would love for this to happen in more countries across the globe because forced app download allows for:

#'''Identification and tracking of users''' - not just on an account level and payments, but through deep device identifiers, location, and network connection

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===Mandatory use of "approved devices" and big-tech operating systems===

Most apps are only available for download on official from official app stores, meaning consumers must use a device running stock iOS or Android, or else jump through hoops to run them<ref>https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Android#Run_Android_apps_on_Arch_Linux</ref><ref>https://stackoverflow.com/a/18003462</ref>.

Most apps are only available for download on official from 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 since most government and business apps conduct intrusive checks<ref>https://developer.android.com/google/play/integrity/setup#default</ref> and will not run if a device is jailbroken or rooted.

Devices must also be running stock operating systems since 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 jailbroken or rooted.

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>https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-uob-anti-scam-sideloaded-app-malware-measure-latest-bank-restrict-app-access-3796806</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]]===

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>https://www.forrester.com/blogs/doing-selling-and-being-headless-commerce/</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.

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.

Since ordering and payments are entirely digital, it is very possible to see surge pricing (similar to what we've seen from ride hailing companies like Uber, Lyft and Grab) implemented across other industries.

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'''Mobile Carriers and App marketplaces'''

Companies like [[digital turbine]] auction<ref>https://www.digitalturbine.com/dt-fairbid</ref> off placement in carriers automatic download lists and recommended app's placement in first and third party app stores<ref>https://www.digitalturbine.com/telecom</ref>

Companies like [[digital turbine|Digital Turbine]] auction<ref>{{Cite web |title=DT Fairbid |url=https://www.digitalturbine.com/dt-fairbid |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2023 |website=Digital Turbine}}</ref> off placement in carriers automatic download lists and recommended app's placement in first and third party app stores<ref>{{Cite web |title=Turn Subscribers Into Fans |url=https://www.digitalturbine.com/telecom |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Digital Turbine}}</ref>

Digital turbine sells forced app downloads from app developers like: [[zynga]], miniclip games, [[King Digital Entertainment|'''King''' Digital Entertainment]] and [[Uber EULA precludes jury trial|Uber]], placement in forced download lists to carries like: [[Verizon]], [[At&T]], [[Cricket wireless]], us cellular, tracfone and T-mobile. <ref>https://www.digitalturbine.com/</ref>

Digital turbine sells forced app downloads from app developers like: [[zynga]], miniclip games, [[King Digital Entertainment|'''King''' Digital Entertainment]] and [[Uber EULA precludes jury trial|Uber]], placement in forced download lists to carries like: [[Verizon]], [[At&T]], [[Cricket wireless]], us cellular, tracfone and T-mobile.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A New Horizon for Apps is Emerging |url=https://www.digitalturbine.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Digital Turbine}}</ref>

===Banking and finance===

All banks in Singapore (Citi, DBS, UOB, OCBC, Standard Chartered, CIMB) mandate use of their apps for consumers to perform any online banking activities, including logging in via their web browser.

[[File:Forced app download.png|thumb|Luckin Coffee, a China-origin Starbucks competitor, forces you to download their app to order and pay for coffee. You cannot order coffee at the cashier in their store, let alone pay. You must use the app to interact with this business and digital payments to pay.]]

[[File:Forced app download - Citibank Singapore.png|thumb|Citibank Singapore has deliberately disabled many basic functions such as rewards redemption on its website since 2024, forcing users to download and use their mobile app as an "alternative".]]

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'''

==='''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 ~~plan~~ holders effected by automotive incidents their policyholders claim to submit photos and video evidence of damages exclusively through their mobile app.<ref name=":0">https://www.progressive.com/claims/auto-process/</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" />

===Utilities and public services===

SP Group is Singapore's primary and default electricity provider, as well as the country's only provider for gas and water for consumers. In 2022, SP Group removed the ability to manage payments from their website, forcing users to download and use their mobile app to pay bills/manage recurring payments<ref>https://www.spdigital.sg/spapp/bill-payment</ref>.

SP Group is Singapore's primary and default electricity provider, as well as the country's only provider for gas and water for consumers. In 2022, SP Group removed the ability to manage payments from their website, forcing users to download and use their mobile app to pay bills/manage recurring payments<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pay SP utility bills with SP app |url=https://www.spdigital.sg/spapp/bill-payment |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=SPdigital}}</ref>.

As they are the country's only provider for gas and water, everyone in Singapore MUST download their app at some point.

===Home appliances and hardware===

Speaker and sound hardware company [[Sonos]] has been a big practitioner of forced app download since at least 2017<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/advanced-setups-229000/make-sonos-work-without-internet-6795315</ref>. Sonos makes it extremely difficult and annoying, if not impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection.

Speaker and sound hardware company [[Sonos]] has been a big practitioner of forced app download since at least 2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=Make Sonos work without internet |url=https://en.community.sonos.com/advanced-setups-229000/make-sonos-work-without-internet-6795315 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[Sonos]]}}</ref>. Sonos makes it extremely difficult and annoying, if not impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection.

Even though it is possible to use Sonos speakers without an app, initial setup has required the download and use of Sonos' app since at least May 2022.

"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/portable-speakers-229130/can-i-use-a-roam-without-the-app-6869207</ref>

"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Can I Use a Roam Without the App? |url=https://en.community.sonos.com/portable-speakers-229130/can-i-use-a-roam-without-the-app-6869207 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[Sonos]]}}</ref>

In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023)<ref>https://soundscapehq.com/how-to-use-sonos-without-app/</ref> and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.

In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Andrew |date=22 Apr 2023 |title=How To Use Sonos Without The App: A Complete Guide |url=https://soundscapehq.com/how-to-use-sonos-without-app/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Sound Scape HQ}}</ref> and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.

"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>https://earrockers.com/can-you-use-sonos-speakers-without-the-app/</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]

===Retail and ecommerce===

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===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 of China origin with stores in Singapore and planned expansion into Malaysia and the US in 2025<ref>https://www.worldcoffeeportal.com/Latest/News/2024/October/China-s-Luckin-Coffee-reportedly-planning-US-launc</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>https://www.clearlycoffee.com/review-signature-luckin-coffee-drinks-photos-creamy-dreamy-big-cheesy-coconut-latte/</ref>

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 of China origin 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 download 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.

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==References==

[[Category:Anti-Consumer_Practices]]

[[Category:Common terms]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{incomplete}}
-'''Forced app download''' is a practice by businesses and government entities, where users are forced to download an app to their phones to perform basic tasks that could have otherwise been done on a standard web browser<ref>[https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9380491 D. Tian, Y. Ma, A. Balasubramanian, Y. Liu, G. Huang and X. Liu, "Characterizing Embedded Web Browsing in Mobile Apps," in IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, vol. 21, no. 11, pp. 3912-3925, 1 Nov. 2022, doi: 10.1109/TMC.2021.3065945.]</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 by businesses and government entities, where users are forced to download an app to their phones to perform basic tasks that could have otherwise been done 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!
 -Keith -->
-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>https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/8330-app-compatibility-with-grapheneos</ref><ref>https://github.com/chiteroman/PlayIntegrityFix</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>https://cybernews.com/news/facebook-spying-snapchat-youtube-amazon-installing-kits/</ref> (and likely most governments)<ref>https://lunduke.substack.com/p/the-pokemon-go-spying-conspiracy</ref> would love for this to happen in more countries across the globe because forced app download allows for:<!-- tone needs to be a little calmer here. Still persuasive, but calmer. -->
+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> would love for this to happen in more countries across the globe because forced app download allows for:<!-- tone needs to be a little calmer here. Still persuasive, but calmer. -->
 #'''Identification and tracking of users'''  - not just on an account level and payments, but through deep device identifiers, location, and network connection
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ===Mandatory use of "approved devices" and big-tech operating systems===
-Most apps are only available for download on official from official app stores, meaning consumers must use a device running stock iOS or Android, or else jump through hoops to run them<ref>https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Android#Run_Android_apps_on_Arch_Linux</ref><ref>https://stackoverflow.com/a/18003462</ref>.
+Most apps are only available for download on official from 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 since most government and business apps conduct intrusive checks<ref>https://developer.android.com/google/play/integrity/setup#default</ref> and will not run if a device is jailbroken 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. -->
+Devices must also be running stock operating systems since 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 jailbroken 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 sideloaded apps – are detected"<ref>https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-uob-anti-scam-sideloaded-app-malware-measure-latest-bank-restrict-app-access-3796806</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]]===
-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>https://www.forrester.com/blogs/doing-selling-and-being-headless-commerce/</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. -->
 Since ordering and payments are entirely digital, it is very possible to see surge pricing (similar to what we've seen from ride hailing companies like Uber, Lyft and Grab) implemented across other industries.
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 '''Mobile Carriers and App marketplaces'''
-Companies like [[digital turbine]] auction<ref>https://www.digitalturbine.com/dt-fairbid</ref> off placement in carriers automatic download lists and recommended app's placement in first and third party app stores<ref>https://www.digitalturbine.com/telecom</ref>
+Companies like [[digital turbine|Digital Turbine]] auction<ref>{{Cite web |title=DT Fairbid |url=https://www.digitalturbine.com/dt-fairbid |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2023 |website=Digital Turbine}}</ref> off placement in carriers automatic download lists and recommended app's placement in first and third party app stores<ref>{{Cite web |title=Turn Subscribers Into Fans |url=https://www.digitalturbine.com/telecom |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Digital Turbine}}</ref>
-Digital turbine sells forced app downloads from app developers like: [[zynga]], miniclip games, [[King Digital Entertainment|'''King''' Digital Entertainment]] and [[Uber EULA precludes jury trial|Uber]],  placement in forced download lists to carries like: [[Verizon]], [[At&T]], [[Cricket wireless]], us cellular, tracfone  and T-mobile. <ref>https://www.digitalturbine.com/</ref>
+Digital turbine sells forced app downloads from app developers like: [[zynga]], miniclip games, [[King Digital Entertainment|'''King''' Digital Entertainment]] and [[Uber EULA precludes jury trial|Uber]],  placement in forced download lists to carries like: [[Verizon]], [[At&T]], [[Cricket wireless]], us cellular, tracfone  and T-mobile.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A New Horizon for Apps is Emerging |url=https://www.digitalturbine.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Digital Turbine}}</ref>
 ===Banking and finance===
 All banks in Singapore (Citi, DBS, UOB, OCBC, Standard Chartered, CIMB) mandate use of their apps for consumers to perform any online banking activities, including logging in via their web browser.
 [[File:Forced app download.png|thumb|Luckin Coffee, a China-origin Starbucks competitor, forces you to download their app to order and pay for coffee. You cannot order coffee at the cashier in their store, let alone pay. You must use the app to interact with this business and digital payments to pay.]]
+[[File:Forced app download - Citibank Singapore.png|thumb|Citibank Singapore has deliberately disabled many basic functions such as rewards redemption on its website since 2024, forcing users to download and use their mobile app as an "alternative".]]
 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'''
+==='''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 plan holders effected by automotive incidents their policyholders claim to submit photos and video evidence of damages exclusively through their mobile app.<ref name=":0">https://www.progressive.com/claims/auto-process/</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" />
 ===Utilities and public services===
-SP Group is Singapore's primary and default electricity provider, as well as the country's only provider for gas and water for consumers. In 2022, SP Group removed the ability to manage payments from their website, forcing users to download and use their mobile app to pay bills/manage recurring payments<ref>https://www.spdigital.sg/spapp/bill-payment</ref>.
+SP Group is Singapore's primary and default electricity provider, as well as the country's only provider for gas and water for consumers. In 2022, SP Group removed the ability to manage payments from their website, forcing users to download and use their mobile app to pay bills/manage recurring payments<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pay SP utility bills with SP app |url=https://www.spdigital.sg/spapp/bill-payment |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=SPdigital}}</ref>.
 As they are the country's only provider for gas and water, everyone in Singapore MUST download their app at some point.
 ===Home appliances and hardware===
-Speaker and sound hardware company [[Sonos]] has been a big practitioner of forced app download since at least 2017<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/advanced-setups-229000/make-sonos-work-without-internet-6795315</ref>. Sonos makes it extremely difficult and annoying, if not impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection.
+Speaker and sound hardware company [[Sonos]] has been a big practitioner of forced app download since at least 2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=Make Sonos work without internet |url=https://en.community.sonos.com/advanced-setups-229000/make-sonos-work-without-internet-6795315 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[Sonos]]}}</ref>. Sonos makes it extremely difficult and annoying, if not impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection.
 Even though it is possible to use Sonos speakers without an app, initial setup has required the download and use of Sonos' app since at least May 2022.
-"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)<ref>https://en.community.sonos.com/portable-speakers-229130/can-i-use-a-roam-without-the-app-6869207</ref>
+"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Can I Use a Roam Without the App? |url=https://en.community.sonos.com/portable-speakers-229130/can-i-use-a-roam-without-the-app-6869207 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[Sonos]]}}</ref>
-In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023)<ref>https://soundscapehq.com/how-to-use-sonos-without-app/</ref> and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.
+In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Andrew |date=22 Apr 2023 |title=How To Use Sonos Without The App: A Complete Guide |url=https://soundscapehq.com/how-to-use-sonos-without-app/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=Sound Scape HQ}}</ref> and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.
-"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>https://earrockers.com/can-you-use-sonos-speakers-without-the-app/</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'''===
+D 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 ecommerce===
@@ Line 101: / Line 104: @@
 ===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 of China origin with stores in Singapore and planned expansion into Malaysia and the US in 2025<ref>https://www.worldcoffeeportal.com/Latest/News/2024/October/China-s-Luckin-Coffee-reportedly-planning-US-launc</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>https://www.clearlycoffee.com/review-signature-luckin-coffee-drinks-photos-creamy-dreamy-big-cheesy-coconut-latte/</ref>
+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 of China origin 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 download 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.
@@ Line 132: / Line 135: @@
 ==References==
+[[Category:Anti-Consumer_Practices]]
 [[Category:Common terms]]
 <references />