Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store(deccanherald.com)
deccanherald.com
Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store
https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/aatmanirbhar-bharat-modi-govt-to-set-up-app-store-alternative-to-google-play-apple-app-store-895755.html?&cf=1
350 comments
Far too many optimistic voices here and that scares me. I don't see this app store being about providing alternatives. that's just a talking point.
This app store is all about forcing every android sold in India to have a system installed govt driven app, which will report back to the govt on tons of private information about the device and owner. Information that Indian govt will be too incompetent to keep safe and given its authoritarian nature, should never have access to.
This is an authoritarian nightmare abut to happen. Modi wants India to move in the direction that China chose. And this scares me a lot.
This app store is all about forcing every android sold in India to have a system installed govt driven app, which will report back to the govt on tons of private information about the device and owner. Information that Indian govt will be too incompetent to keep safe and given its authoritarian nature, should never have access to.
This is an authoritarian nightmare abut to happen. Modi wants India to move in the direction that China chose. And this scares me a lot.
I welcome this.
It will be messy, it will open oportunities to corruption, lobbying, crappy user experiences, unsafe apps, government abuse, nationalism, ... it is really a Pandora box.
But mess can be a fertile ground for competition and innovation when excessive regulation blocks it.
Today's app stores are just feature development labs for Apple & Google. There is no chance that anyone will be able to create a big business within any app store and keep Apple or Google out. Just ask big players as Steam, Facebook and Microsoft how they feel about Google's and Apple's stores.
If you're in the apps development business then you're just looking for golden opportunities for Apple/Google and being very badly payed for that.
It will be messy, it will open oportunities to corruption, lobbying, crappy user experiences, unsafe apps, government abuse, nationalism, ... it is really a Pandora box.
But mess can be a fertile ground for competition and innovation when excessive regulation blocks it.
Today's app stores are just feature development labs for Apple & Google. There is no chance that anyone will be able to create a big business within any app store and keep Apple or Google out. Just ask big players as Steam, Facebook and Microsoft how they feel about Google's and Apple's stores.
If you're in the apps development business then you're just looking for golden opportunities for Apple/Google and being very badly payed for that.
Since the title mentions the idea as well as the govt, let me add that while the idea is excellent, the current (Modi) govt is incompetent when it comes to execution, or may be has some other interests. Examples - failed demonetization, poor implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), failed Covid-19 lockdown. Most of what the govt does benefits select corporates (eg. rise of Jio). Interestingly, Paytm benefited the most during demonetization (2016) which is mentioned in the article and might have catalyzed the idea. The important part to notice is that demonetization was aimed at wiping out black money, GST was supposed to improve taxation, Covid-19 lockdown was supposed to dampen the long-term effect. However, these steps which were supposed to improve economy turned out to be counter-productive. Due to the poor or misdirected execution, India's economic is tanking down. So, although self-dependence is the stated goal, I am not sure where it will land. Moreover, the authoritarian tendencies don't help either. They are known to blackout journalists, assassinate lawyer, conduct media trials and put anyone speaking against them in jail. They will be a bigger bully than Google/Apple and pose a bigger risk to privacy.
India has a following issue with Android ecosystem, almost everything not owned by Google, is owned by some Chinese co.
GetJar - sold to Chinese
PayTM - Chinese shareholder
Flipcart - Chinese shareholder
Zomato, swiggy, + 10+ others online delivery/logistics apps. Some used to be reskins of Chinese apps. Some only have Indian C-levels.
20 something messengers - all except FB, and Twiter are Chinese
...
I believe they quickly realised that to ban Chinese apps, they have to ban a lion share of apps in daily use, and here this app store comes.
---
P.S. As I understand, a huge amount of Android phones in the third world doesn't have Google App store pre-installed, as manufacturers don't bother to go through arduous Google certification for low end phones, or provide OTA updates. This is why things like GetJar are still a thing there.
GetJar - sold to Chinese
PayTM - Chinese shareholder
Flipcart - Chinese shareholder
Zomato, swiggy, + 10+ others online delivery/logistics apps. Some used to be reskins of Chinese apps. Some only have Indian C-levels.
20 something messengers - all except FB, and Twiter are Chinese
...
I believe they quickly realised that to ban Chinese apps, they have to ban a lion share of apps in daily use, and here this app store comes.
---
P.S. As I understand, a huge amount of Android phones in the third world doesn't have Google App store pre-installed, as manufacturers don't bother to go through arduous Google certification for low end phones, or provide OTA updates. This is why things like GetJar are still a thing there.
It will be a special kind of joy for small developers to publish their apps on a billion stores each with its own regulations.
It seems most people are arguing that the only alternative to 2 app stores is a large number of app stores. But what if the alternative is no app stores? Anyone can install whatever software they want on their device from wherever they want it. Just like it works for desktops. The need for app stores is an artificially created need (by the marketing brilliance of Jobs).
Modi is a pure marketing person representing JIO and PayTM period, he just wants their spyware to be pre-installed. Nothing more, now if you want proof, watch the down votes. He is the kind of PM who doesn't meet journalists, doesn't take questions. And all he does is Marketing. No execution went atleast good till now.
Playstore(Google) and Appstore(Apple) are major soft power assets of U.S. Govt. we've seen the former exercised effectively against Huawei, crippling its International smartphone sales.
Considering U.S. - India trade agreement has been elusive for a long time due to differences from fruits to solar cells, India would definitely not add App(Play) store to the list; especially now due to the situation with China.
Although there's nothing stopping anyone from creating 3rd party app store for Android, the lobby wants Govt. to be involved for forcing handset manufacturers to pre-burn this new app store. It's certainly possible, as made in India Samsung M-series phones already has all major Indian apps, they might even provide privilege escalation like Fdroid to make install/update seamless. What they are going to replace Google Play Services with would be interesting to see.
Of course it's not going to happen with Apple unless anti-trust issues in US/EU forces Apple to open its platform for 3rd party app stores.
Coming back to Huawei, Playstore denial didn't have impact on its sales in China as Playstore was never there and China has hundreds of local app stores for android (although silicon denial will have an impact there). Similarly, having local Indian app stores does make strategic sense.
But as a consumer I'm worried about the privacy, security implications of a local app store without common International rules and scrutiny; Especially since I have personally seen what some of these leading apps can do with user privacy and security[1].
[1] https://abishekmuthian.com/paytm-says-to-me-that-its-pos-fea...
Considering U.S. - India trade agreement has been elusive for a long time due to differences from fruits to solar cells, India would definitely not add App(Play) store to the list; especially now due to the situation with China.
Although there's nothing stopping anyone from creating 3rd party app store for Android, the lobby wants Govt. to be involved for forcing handset manufacturers to pre-burn this new app store. It's certainly possible, as made in India Samsung M-series phones already has all major Indian apps, they might even provide privilege escalation like Fdroid to make install/update seamless. What they are going to replace Google Play Services with would be interesting to see.
Of course it's not going to happen with Apple unless anti-trust issues in US/EU forces Apple to open its platform for 3rd party app stores.
Coming back to Huawei, Playstore denial didn't have impact on its sales in China as Playstore was never there and China has hundreds of local app stores for android (although silicon denial will have an impact there). Similarly, having local Indian app stores does make strategic sense.
But as a consumer I'm worried about the privacy, security implications of a local app store without common International rules and scrutiny; Especially since I have personally seen what some of these leading apps can do with user privacy and security[1].
[1] https://abishekmuthian.com/paytm-says-to-me-that-its-pos-fea...
While I personally dislike to see an App Store coming from the Modi government, I wonder if there's at least some virtue to the idea of publicly funded App Stores e.g. in the European Union.
Of course there's a risk of easier distribution of state-sponsored Malware and censorship - somewhat similar to state-level DPI - but there could be an advantage in enforcing local laws.
As it stands, software distribution to european mobile clients seems to be restricted by:
For Free Software Users, https://f-droid.org/en/ is course preferable. Seems to be registered in the UK according to https://f-droid.org/en/about/
Of course there's a risk of easier distribution of state-sponsored Malware and censorship - somewhat similar to state-level DPI - but there could be an advantage in enforcing local laws.
As it stands, software distribution to european mobile clients seems to be restricted by:
* U.S. laws and regulations
* Policies by Google or Apple
* European laws and regulations
For Free Software Users, https://f-droid.org/en/ is course preferable. Seems to be registered in the UK according to https://f-droid.org/en/about/
Ok maybe the Indian govt can force Android phone manufacturers to pre install it's app store, how is this going to play out on iPhones? Are we going to see a ban on iPhones in India?
I am not sure how I feel about the government being directly involved in creating the app store. On one hand, I believe the government should take measures to nurture the local startups and app, to give them a fair chance at growing. On the other hand, I don't think an app store created and managed by the government will have the right incentive to be competitive against foreign players and may just end up spiraling into a hot bureaucratic mess, with more and more hoops to jump through just to get an app on that platform.
Finally! I can call my uncle and get my app featured. Awesome.
I have a contrarian view that this is a very good ideas to get rid of the duopoly of Apple and Google App Store.
These companies charge 30% of all sales and in a country like India where margins are low, that can be a huge chunk of profits .
I also believe that there should be a baseline for what apps can come preinstalled on a new phone - because India is a hotbed for low cost Chinese mobiles that are subsidized by the CCP and in turn send all user data to China.
India wants more Apple manufacturing and Apple wants to sell India more phones. My guess is this won't happen.
China would be a good example to predict what would happen. Since it bans Google, there are 11 Android app stores has >1% market share [1], most are from tech giants(e.g. Tencent), mobile operator(e.g. China Mobile) and phone manufacturers(e.g. Huawei). When Apple opens the gate for 3p App Store, it's safe to bet another 5~10 stores.
Maybe not every country will have as many app stores as China, but still that's gonna be a nightmare for developers (especially small developers) to manage.
Push notification might be another nightmare to watch out for consumers. When China bans Google service, app developers have freedom to implement push themselves or via a 3rd party vendor. And I guess if forced to open, Apple won't support non AppStore push either, hence consumers may end up with Facebook/Google/Epic/Tencent/YouNameWho have their push services running and connected on their phones with a burning battery.
[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1058612/china-android-ap...
Maybe not every country will have as many app stores as China, but still that's gonna be a nightmare for developers (especially small developers) to manage.
Push notification might be another nightmare to watch out for consumers. When China bans Google service, app developers have freedom to implement push themselves or via a 3rd party vendor. And I guess if forced to open, Apple won't support non AppStore push either, hence consumers may end up with Facebook/Google/Epic/Tencent/YouNameWho have their push services running and connected on their phones with a burning battery.
[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1058612/china-android-ap...
I would not trust any state run App Store. In past their “Aarogya Setu” app has been criticized for privacy concerns.
Note that the people who complained about Google’s review policy aren’t indie Developers but big Players like PayTM who benefited immensely from demonetization mandate.
Clearly violating a policy that’s in place to protect the user and then complaining that your app got taken down is ridiculous.
Agree, App Store review process isn’t perfect. There are mistakes in review process which get some apps wrongfully rejected. But I would rather have stricter policies than no/questionable review process.
Another point is specific to this govt. The govt and the PM don’t exactly have a great track record when it comes to minorities, which makes such interference more scary.
Considering what the central government said back in 2017[1]
>"There is no fundamental right to privacy and even if it is assumed as a fundamental right, it is multifaceted. Every facet can’t be ipso facto considered a fundamental right."
This doesn't sound like a good idea to give the control of an app store to the government. Government will for sure try to track and spy on users and remove any app it doesn't like and quality will be a joke.
[1]: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/right-to-privacy-not-...
This doesn't sound like a good idea to give the control of an app store to the government. Government will for sure try to track and spy on users and remove any app it doesn't like and quality will be a joke.
[1]: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/right-to-privacy-not-...
It feels like this is just a China firewall in the making.
They will strictly block everything they don’t like. I have a bad feeling about it
They will strictly block everything they don’t like. I have a bad feeling about it
Taking preemptive action to derail their economic recovery.
Those who want open source apps on their phones should checkout f-droid
What business does the govt have with private app stores.
I am glad that this will force a hard stop on Google's and Apple's monopoly on App stores and force them to be more competitive. India is too big a market for Google to walk away from - especially after they had to walk away from China.
However, it is entirely like that the Modi govt is probably trying to find a way to backdoor all phones in India through this. So thats bad.
However, it is entirely like that the Modi govt is probably trying to find a way to backdoor all phones in India through this. So thats bad.
What is their aim by having an alternate app store? Maybe make the manufacturers install it by default as a system app with all the permissions enabled by default? It'd be pretty easy to have a control over what people are seeing or using if so. It's just guess work but I wouldn't be surprised if this is the idea.
Although government control will lead to more problems down the line, at least, this has opened serious debate about the unfair control Apple and Google has over the App stores.
Third part app stores should be allowed, and in the end, hopefully, the best one will come out as a winner.
Third part app stores should be allowed, and in the end, hopefully, the best one will come out as a winner.
Anyone aware about the merit of the gambling claims that the apps were indulging in, as mentioned by the article.
While I don't like censorship of any form, if that violates Play Store or AppStore's TOS, the violating app would get removed.
While I don't like censorship of any form, if that violates Play Store or AppStore's TOS, the violating app would get removed.
> Also, talks within the government indicate that it may ask Google and Apple to pre-install Indian App Store in all phones sold in India in near future. This particular request is likely to face counter from the American companies.
Sigh!
Sigh!
Being surveiled by Google, Apple and Facebook (America), and soon in greater effect by the Indian state isn't exactly appealing, but at least it means competition I guess.
Honestly, what alternative exists? Corporations won't be OK with publishing on F-Droid, but is there some kind of opensource store that can be used for commercial apps? If some people put their heads together, maybe they could come up with something opensource that respects privacy, is secure and allows closed-source stuff to be published.
Honestly, what alternative exists? Corporations won't be OK with publishing on F-Droid, but is there some kind of opensource store that can be used for commercial apps? If some people put their heads together, maybe they could come up with something opensource that respects privacy, is secure and allows closed-source stuff to be published.
LOL. We don’t need 30%. We’ll pay for it through taxes instead.
What's wrong with Getjar for Android? [0] Although I think it needs a redesign but at least it has no Google control and it is independent.
iOS on the other hand is slightly difficult to sideload apps compared to Android. Not too optimistic about an alternative App Store on iOS.
[0] https://www.getjar.com/
iOS on the other hand is slightly difficult to sideload apps compared to Android. Not too optimistic about an alternative App Store on iOS.
[0] https://www.getjar.com/
If you think I’m being hyperbolic, just wait for Reliance Jio to announce its own App Store as the first one. It’ll come with the full force of the government behind it (who in a government wouldn’t love a telecom and network provider that loves slurping all data and is against end to end encryption when it’s done by other competing apps like WhatsApp?)
I feel bad for all the poorer people who already are forced to buy cheap Android phones that don’t get updates and are loaded with crapware and what not. As much as I despise Google for tracking users, I believe Google will look like a saint in front of these companies.