Forced app download: Difference between revisions

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# '''Deliberately crippling or removing functionality from the web experience''' - Prevent users from having an alternative interface to perform basic tasks.

# '''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 versions (varies by company)

# '''Mandatory use of account''' - For most of these apps to work, you must have an account for features to work. For example, with the Luckin Coffee app, you must create an account tied to your phone number. You cannot order as a guest

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

=== Surge pricing ===

So far, the implementation of surge pricing in the context of businesses that have the forced app download experience 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 experiences 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.

For example, a restaurant that is popular enough could implement surge pricing to charge more during peak hours, like weekday lunch time to hit the downtime office crowd that is lacking in time and places to eat, or Friday night when many people are looking to go out.

[[File:No unverified apps.png|thumb|Singapore banks will "restrict access if unverified apps AKA sideloaded apps are found on customers' phones" (News story from Sep 2023)]]

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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".

=== Utilities ===

=== 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>.

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

=== 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 a food and beverage business that is fully committed to the forced app download experience 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 experience represents the next stage of evolution from QR code based ordering. The key differences are:

{| class="wikitable"

|+

!Characteristic

!Forced app download experience

!QR code based ordering

|-

|Interface

|App downloaded from official app store

|Page opened in your choice of web browser

|-

|Ordering

|Order MUST be placed via app

|QR is pushed but usually possible to order offline (in real life)

|-

|Login

|You MUST create an account and log in to place an order

|Not required, often no registration is possible

|-

|Payments

|Cashless digital payment only

Payment MUST be made via app

|Depending on website, sometimes order online, pay offline

Depending on business, cash payments are usually possible

|}

== References ==

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 # '''Deliberately crippling or removing functionality from the web experience''' - Prevent users from having an alternative interface to perform basic tasks.
 # '''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 versions (varies by company)
+# '''Mandatory use of account''' - For most of these apps to work, you must have an account for features to work. For example, with the Luckin Coffee app, you must create an account tied to your phone number. You cannot order as a guest
 == Key implications ==
@@ Line 28: / Line 29: @@
 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>
+=== Surge pricing ===
+So far, the implementation of surge pricing in the context of businesses that have the forced app download experience 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 experiences 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.
+For example, a restaurant that is popular enough could implement surge pricing to charge more during peak hours, like weekday lunch time to hit the downtime office crowd that is lacking in time and places to eat, or Friday night when many people are looking to go out.
 [[File:No unverified apps.png|thumb|Singapore banks will "restrict access if unverified apps AKA sideloaded apps are found on customers' phones" (News story from Sep 2023)]]
@@ Line 37: / Line 45: @@
 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".
-=== Utilities ===
+=== 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>.
 As they are the country's only provider for gas and water, everyone in Singapore MUST download their app at some point.
+=== 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 a food and beverage business that is fully committed to the forced app download experience 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 experience represents the next stage of evolution from QR code based ordering. The key differences are:
+{| class="wikitable"
+|+
+!Characteristic
+!Forced app download experience
+!QR code based ordering
+|-
+|Interface
+|App downloaded from official app store
+|Page opened in your choice of web browser
+|-
+|Ordering
+|Order MUST be placed via app
+|QR is pushed but usually possible to order offline (in real life)
+|-
+|Login
+|You MUST create an account and log in to place an order
+|Not required, often no registration is possible
+|-
+|Payments
+|Cashless digital payment only
+Payment MUST be made via app
+|Depending on website, sometimes order online, pay offline
+Depending on business, cash payments are usually possible
+|}
+== References ==