EU Citizens Push Back Against Google and Apple's OS Lock-In with Open Attestation Initiative
The European Union is facing pressure from privacy-focused operating systems like GrapheneOS, LineageOS, and Linux on mobile as Google Play Integrity API and Apple App Attest restrict their access to essential services. These APIs are seen as tools to enforce vendor lock-in, effectively excluding alternative OSes from critical apps and platforms.
Users are divided over whether mandating open attestation standards is a solution or a threat. Some argue that open standards could undermine security and interoperability, while others see it as a necessary step to prevent monopolistic control. GerardPolloRebozado, a key voice in the debate, calls for EU legislation to ban device and OS discrimination, ensuring privacy-focused systems can access the digital single market without losing functionality.
The community consensus leans toward supporting open, vendor-neutral hardware attestation to counter proprietary gatekeeper APIs. However, the debate remains heated, with strong arguments on both sides about the balance between security, consumer choice, and market freedom.
Key Points
#1Privacy-focused OSes are being excluded from essential services due to Google and Apple's proprietary attestation APIs.
GrapheneOS, LineageOS, and Linux on mobile are locked out of banking and public portals due to vendor lock-in.
#2EU legislation is proposed to mandate open attestation standards and ban OS discrimination.
GerardPolloRebozado advocates for legal protection of consumers' right to install preferred OSes without losing access to the digital single market.
#3Open attestation standards are seen as a way to counter proprietary gatekeeper APIs.
Supporters argue that open, vendor-neutral hardware attestation can protect privacy-focused OSes from exclusion.
#4There is controversy over whether open standards could compromise security and interoperability.
Some users warn that mandating open attestation could lead to vulnerabilities, while others see it as a necessary step to prevent monopolistic control.
Source Discussions (4)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.