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.”
Just one more reason to make laws that enforce similarly fair competition in other countries. Don’t let companies get away with this shit!
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).
Wow making it as pricy as possible for developers to add features thanks Apple.
