The Register has learned from those involved in the browser trade that Apple has limited the development and testing of third-party browser engines to devices physically located in the EU. That requirement adds an additional barrier to anyone planning to develop and support a browser with an alternative engine in the EU.

It effectively geofences the development team. Browser-makers whose dev teams are located in the US will only be able to work on simulators. While some testing can be done in a simulator, there’s no substitute for testing on device – which means developers will have to work within Apple’s prescribed geographical boundary.

… as Mozilla put it – to make it “as painful as possible for others to provide competitive alternatives to Safari.”

  • Carighan Maconar@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    Just one more reason to make laws that enforce similarly fair competition in other countries. Don’t let companies get away with this shit!

    • kratoz29@lemm.ee
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      6 months ago

      Can they do that? I’d love it, but I don’t think they can really force Apple, or any company to do something globally can they? (USB C was probably managed this way because of logistic and pricing matters).

      • FrostKing@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        I could be wrong, but I believe he meant that other countries themselves should pass similar laws; not that the EU should make laws mandating what Apple does in other countries

        • kratoz29@lemm.ee
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          6 months ago

          Oh, that would make more sense, but if this was a per country decision I’d be fucked here in Mexico lol.