Comment by vasco

Comment by vasco 4 days ago

8 replies

View on Hacker News

Ironically if they stopped this gimmick they keep up to be able to charge 30% they could have the app and the developer would be the liable one. But the developer doesn't even have to make these claims, they can just put it up and say "this may detect if you're on your back".

Apple isn't liable for you looking up medical misinformation that kills you using your iPhone on the Safari browser. Why would it be for an app that is clearly made by someone else? The difference is only because of the vetting, and they only do vetting to charge their fee, otherwise they'd vet other things too.

It's incredible how companies bend backwards to bullet proof any liability whatsoever on anything, except if they can make money on it.

kube-system 4 days ago

> they only do vetting to charge their fee, otherwise they'd vet other things too

They also vet apps to keep garbage and scams out of it.

Many of the things they prohibit are things that are overwhelmingly good for their users:

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines

Reply View 2 replies
  • dylan604 4 days ago

    Now we're into a semantics meaning over "garbage and scams", as I believe pretty much all social media apps are a form of "garbage and scams". They just happen to have enough features that people like so they accept it.

    Reply View 1 reply
    • kube-system 4 days ago

      Which is why Apple's page that I linked is quite a lot longer than my comment. It is more carefully worded. It also isn't based on your particular preferences or tastes, but the tastes and preferences of their target market(s), which may vary well not include you.

      Reply View 0 replies
kstrauser 4 days ago

There’s a reputational risk in selling software that gives unvalidated medical advice.

Reply View 1 reply
eli 4 days ago

No, it's illegal to participate in the advertising or promotion of products making false health claims in any way.

Reply View 2 replies
  • kaba0 4 days ago

    I am no lawyer, but I guess any such law has to take into account physical possibility. Like, e.g. youtube itself can’t possibly flag every copyrighted content streamed live/etc.

    Reply View 0 replies
  • vasco 4 days ago

    > But the developer doesn't even have to make these claims, they can just put it up and say "this may detect if you're on your back".

    Reply View 0 replies