Apple iOS 17.4 disables home screen web apps (PWA) in the European Union.
The second version of iOS 17.4 disabled the functionality of Progressive Web Apps (PWA) in the European Union.
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Apple has confirmed that this change will not be reversed, due to support for alternative browsers and security concerns. PWAs use WebKit and the iOS, adapting to the platform's privacy and security model. Strict data protection regulations, such as storage isolation and system prompts for access to sensitive features, are considered critical. Although there is speculation that this is a temporary change or bug, Apple confirms that PWAs will not be reverted, due to the need to comply with the high security and privacy standards of its platform.
Apple claims that malicious web apps can read data from other web apps and access a user's camera, microphone, and location without their consent. To address these security, Apple would need to create a new integration architecture, but this is not feasible due to the requirements of the Digital Markets Act and because Home Screen web apps are not used by many users.
“iOS provides traditional support for Home Screen web apps through WebKit and its security architecture. This integration ensures that Home screen web apps adhere to the security and privacy model implemented in iOS, including storage isolation and enforcing system prompts for access to privacy-impacting features on a per-site basis.
Without this isolation and containment method, malicious websites could retrieve data from other websites and access a user’s camera, microphone, or location without their consent. In addition, browsers could install applications on the system without users’ input or consent. Addressing the complex security and privacy issues associated with websites using alternative browsers would require an entirely new integration architecture, which does not currently exist in iOS and would be impractical to implement, given the other requirements of the DMA and the limited adoption of home screens. Therefore, to comply with the DMA requirements, we have decided to remove the home screen feature in the EU. ”
Read also: Apple: New Podcast transcription feature in iOS 17.4
The update to app websites on the home screen comes alongside several other changes to the App Store in the European Union. Apple now allows for alternative app purchases, different payment methods, different browsers, and other features.
Source: macrumors.com
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