iOS 13's new feature "Apple Login" is mandatory and sparks controversy

When Apple announced the new "Sign in with Apple" feature in iOS 13, it was warmly welcomed by users because it is a feature that combines convenience with privacy. However, Apple's requirements and suggestions for this feature are attracting attention.

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Many apps we use require login. At this time, the platform will provide third-party login options, including Google, Facebook or Twitter in foreign countries, and QQ, WeChat and general email in China. Third-party login is convenient for users, eliminating the need to register personal information every time they come into contact with a new application. However, there are some inevitable problems.

First, users must agree that the third-party platform will pass your personal email address to the developer, otherwise you will not be able to continue logging in.

Secondly, the platform itself will know the apps you are using, not just some sensitive apps. The aggregation of all apps can tell the platform a lot about your life. Third-party platforms often use this information for commercial activities, or combine it with their own data technology to track and analyze user behavior, and ultimately direct users to various advertisements. These practices not only cause trouble to users, but also conflict with Apple's insistence on privacy protection principles.

Apple’s solution: Sign in with Apple

The "Sign in with Apple" button provided in iOS 13 is designed to solve this problem. Apple provides a user's email address to be shared with developers or hidden. If you choose to hide it, Apple will create a disposable email address for you (only for this app) and pass it to the developer. Emails sent by app developers to this address will be forwarded by Apple to the user.

Apple promises not to pass this information to any third party.

Concerns about terms and conditions

For this new feature, Apple introduced a condition for developers and made another suggestion.

The condition is that if the app developer offers any other third-party login, they must also offer the "Apple Sign In" option. So if developers offer to log in with Google, Facebook or Twitter, they have no choice but to offer Apple's version at the same time.

In addition, Reuters pointed out that Apple has a second requirement. According to the official design guidelines released last week, Apple will require developers to place the new "Apple Sign In" button above the button for other third-party logins in iPhone and iPad apps.

Apple recommends that developers place their login button above competitors’ buttons, and while this is part of its interface guidelines and not a formal requirement for passing App Store review, many developers believe that catering to Apple is the surest way to get their apps approved.

But this involves the issue of fair competition. Personally, as a user, we should be happy about this, but developers may need to adjust their apps. More importantly, Apple, which is facing antitrust investigations, may further stimulate regulators and cause more trouble for itself.

Do you think "Sign in with Apple" is a user-friendly feature? Is Apple's mandatory requirement for developers reasonable? Please share your views in the comments.