Apple's bans go way too far

Is Apple's banning iPhone applicationss that would use location data for displaying advertising not as onerous as anything Microsoft tried - and mostly didn't get away with?

What about banning iPhone applications from the App Store? Like Apple thinks it can control the flow of information its customers receive? Give me a break.

Maybe those who once were so vehemently anti-Microsoft will now look at what Apple is doing and see the parallels. Business customers should take the lead as we are more activist-oriented than average consumers.

Just because I purchased an iPhone, doesn't mean I elected Steve Jobs to rule my life. Yet, in deciding in such blatantly anti-competitive ways what I should be able to see and use and purchase, Apple has way more control over me than I'd like.

So where is the U.S. Department of Justice? Where are the angry customers? Who can tell Apple to "back off" and make it stick?

Now, I really don't mind a lot of what Apple does. The iPhone is such a wonderful device in significant part because of the limitations Apple has placed upon developers. That is mostly good for customers and I welcome it.

However, deciding that applications can't display location-related advertising is several steps across the line. Likewise, banning the word "Android" because it's the name of the operating system on rival smartphones.

Apple either needs to accept there are limitations to what it can force-feed its customers, or have its rug pulled out by regulators or the courts.

For many years I have said that Apple's stranglehold over its platforms and customers was more than Microsoft ever hoped to achieve, but got slapped down for.

Apple has wrapped itself in a warm-and-fuzzy costume, but it hides a company as dominating as Bill Gates on his best day.

Microsoft couldn't get away with it, and neither should Apple. If the company won't see its limits, they may need to be imposed.

Note: This blog first appeared on our sister site PCWorld.com.

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Comments received

William Carr said on Saturday, 13 February 2010

Let's see.

If Microsoft had told developers for, say, the Zune, that they couldn't harass Zune users with viral ads...

You'd take offense at that?

Apple acts to protect their users from targeted advertisements.

And you think that constitutes infringement of your rights as a consumer?

"Yet, in deciding in such blatantly anti-competitive ways what I should be able to see and use and purchase"

It's only anti-competitive if Apple pushes their OWN ads while blocking others.