Just yesterday, Facebook had its developer enterprise certificate revoked by Apple after news broke that it was using the program to distribute a research app to consumers that tracked all network data on their iOS device in exchange for gift cards. Apple’s policy for the Developer Enterprise Program states that it’s “solely for the internal distribution of apps within an organization.” Apple also added that “any developer using their enterprise certificates to distribute apps to consumers [would] have their certificates revoked.” Google also had a similar app that used the same bypass as Facebook, and now, The Verge is reporting that they too are having their enterprise certificates revoked.
Update 1/31, 5:30 PM/CT: Apple is in progress of restoring Google’s certificate.
Update 1/31, 9:30 PM/CT: Google’s certificate has been restored.
After press coverage about Facebook’s dilemma broke, Google disabled its Screenwise Meter app on iOS and also issued the following statement:
“The Screenwise Meter iOS app should not have operated under Apple’s developer enterprise program — this was a mistake, and we apologize. We have disabled this app on iOS devices. This app is completely voluntary and always has been. We’ve been upfront with users about the way we use their data in this app, we have no access to encrypted data in apps and on devices, and users can opt out of the program at any time.”
In Google’s defense, they certainly are quite upfront about what data they collect and how they use this data whereas Facebook is fairly vague in this regard.
But just when Google thought they had narrowly avoided the same fate as Facebook, Apple sticks to what they said and is allegedly also revoking Google’s enterprise certificate today for violating the program’s terms and conditions. In retrospect, both bans are for using the program to distribute apps to consumers when it is strictly for employees or contractors only.
What this ban means for Google is that they can no longer distribute their internal iOS apps. According to The Verge, “early versions of Google Maps, Hangouts, Gmail, and other pre-release beta apps have stopped working,” including employee-only apps such as Gbus for transportation and an internal cafe app. Google also provided the following statement:
“We’re working with Apple to fix a temporary disruption to some of our corporate iOS apps, which we expect will be resolved soon.”
After the ban, Facebook employees were reportedly “pissed” and “angry” at the current situation, and I can imagine some Google employees are probably feeling the same. There are also reports that Facebook is trying to negotiate with Apple to reinstate its certificate so other critical internal apps can function, and it’s likely that Google will have to do the same. However, in Apple’s defense, they are definitely sticking to their rules and applying them equally to both companies. Google and Facebook aren’t small companies by any means, and it’s their responsibility to make sure that they’re also following policies set in place on another platform.
Update 1/31, 5:30 PM/CT: Apple has now provided the following statement to BuzzFeed:
“We are working together with Google to help them reinstate their enterprise certificates very quickly.”
In related news, Apple also restored Facebook’s developer enterprise certificate late this afternoon in what was a pretty fast turnaround.
End of Update
Update 1/31, 9:30 PM/CT: Recent reports have said that Apple has restored Google’s certificate and all functionality to its apps.
End of Update
Source: The Verge
Featured-Image: Search Engine Land
