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ELman

macrumors 6502a
Jul 6, 2017
508
1,393
sounds like they adapted the one from the EU



You think those regulations are bad? Google what an "Ordnungsamt" is.

Here are a few examples of Germany:
  1. You are not allowed to vacuum clean between 1pm and 3 pm (resting hour) or Sundays*
  2. You are not allowed to throw away your glass after 7 pm or on Sundays (too much noise)
  3. Your dog leash is only allowed to be 1 meters on streets or 2 meters at parks **
  4. You are not allowed to wash your car on the street (oil could spill to the ground water)
  5. Your dog is only allowed to bark 30 minutes per day, only 10 minutes at a time. No barking between 1 pm and 3 pm and 7 pm to 8 am
  6. No loud noise after 10 pm (neighbors are very serious about that one!)
I could go on and on :D

*people still do it and so do I but if you have a bad relationship with your neighbours, they could call the "Ordnungsamt"
** depends on the city / state

Note: I only posted this to point out the cultural differences and why those company regulations may seem excessive to Americans but pretty normal and reasonable to us since we are "used to it"
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
 

boyarka

macrumors regular
Sep 6, 2021
210
216
Just another country unable to compete so they resort to regulation.

Europeans often complain that goods and services are more expensive in the EU/UK. Here's a good example why.
Ah, yes, the american model: less tax, less fines, less competition.
And zero consumer rights, laughable "warranty", opioids everywhere because the insirance-funded doctor and some deug conglamorate said so and fracking chemicals in drinking water because regulation = communism, can't have any of that. But at least the prices are slightly lower!
 

Apple Knowledge Navigator

macrumors 68040
Mar 28, 2010
3,546
11,925
Seems fair to me. If a business is in a position of dominance or huge influence on a market, then it’s only right that a government should monitor its activity with more scrutiny than those who have little market share.

Otherwise these companies will continue to act as if they are untouchable, which is already becoming the case in some situations. And why would that be good for consumers?

For instance, have we already forgotten how Apple forced Ireland’s hand when their tax rate of sub 0.1% was investigated? Hmm.
 

3xBoom

macrumors 6502
Apr 20, 2020
405
518
Sounds like a legit plan: 1. create an agency to regulate an industry that predates the agency by decades; 2. come up with a set of silly rules to govern the said industry; 3. set up fines for not following the above rules; 4. profit.

I am all for fairness and so on, but c'mon...
 

GaryMumford

macrumors 6502
Jul 25, 2008
370
702
UK
sounds like they adapted the one from the EU



You think those regulations are bad? Google what an "Ordnungsamt" is.

Here are a few examples of Germany:
  1. You are not allowed to vacuum clean between 1pm and 3 pm (resting hour) or Sundays*
  2. You are not allowed to throw away your glass after 7 pm or on Sundays (too much noise)
  3. Your dog leash is only allowed to be 1 meters on streets or 2 meters at parks **
  4. You are not allowed to wash your car on the street (oil could spill to the ground water)
  5. Your dog is only allowed to bark 30 minutes per day, only 10 minutes at a time. No barking between 1 pm and 3 pm and 7 pm to 8 am
  6. No loud noise after 10 pm (neighbors are very serious about that one!)
I could go on and on :D

*people still do it and so do I but if you have a bad relationship with your neighbours, they could call the "Ordnungsamt"
** depends on the city / state

Note: I only posted this to point out the cultural differences and why those company regulations may seem excessive to Americans but pretty normal and reasonable to us since we are "used to it"
How do you stop you dog barking at specific times? I can't shut mine up!!!
 
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contacos

macrumors 601
Nov 11, 2020
4,780
18,520
Mexico City living in Berlin
How do you stop you dog barking at specific times? I can't shut mine up!!!

I guess you have to pray that your neighbors aren’t d**ks haha honestly, I think this is one of those rules that only exist for really bad cases like a dog barking really 24/7 7 days a week and always left alone. I heard of people writing a protocol and noting down the times to complain to the landlord if it’s really excessive
 

rjjacobson

macrumors demi-god
Sep 12, 2014
8,247
25,588
Ya, no, I dont think anyone would remember what hellholes Sony and Nokia were before Apple came along. Expensive phones, terrible functionality, arrogant customer service. Thank goodness Apple came along.
Yep I had Palm phones first and the functionality (other than being a phone for a person like me who hates talking on phone — guess what I do with my iphone LOL) was a pain in the as indeed iphone was first cell i really liked and could do so much more with. And I like my iphone to be part of a well functioning ecosystem not broken up like they did with ma bell… I like my AW Ultra, ipad, MacBook Pro to sync and share like they do not a wide variety of devices from other manufacturers whose compatibility is flaky at best…
 

Realityck

macrumors G4
Nov 9, 2015
10,338
15,568
Silicon Valley, CA
Related article


In particular, the bill will tackle fake reviews, and so-called “subscription traps” – where it is easy for consumers to start a subscription, but difficult to end it.

The current draft provisions propose making it illegal to post fake reviews without checking that they are genuine, commission someone to write a fake review or offer to submit one […]
The legislation will also target so-called subscription traps in which businesses make it difficult for consumers to quit a contract. Under the new rules, which will not be limited to firms with strategic market status, companies must remind consumers when a free trial or low-cost introductory offer is coming to an end and ensure that a contract can be exited in a “straightforward, cost-effective and timely way”.
Here, Apple will need to take a more proactive approach for sure. The App Store has a fair number of obviously fake reviews, and so far the iPhone maker has shown little interest in blocking, detecting, and removing these. Given patterns in both the submission and (so far) content of fake app reviews, this shouldn’t be too great a technical challenge, so this will be a welcome move.
 

rjjacobson

macrumors demi-god
Sep 12, 2014
8,247
25,588
Ah, yes, the american model: less tax, less fines, less competition.
And zero consumer rights, laughable "warranty", opioids everywhere because the insirance-funded doctor and some deug conglamorate said so and fracking chemicals in drinking water because regulation = communism, can't have any of that. But at least the prices are slightly lower!
Also true (as an american) but I just do not find any governments that really help people but in stead they help those in power which ever group that may be. But I do love my apple ecosystem personally and hate our politicians that propose breaking it up so little guys can compete and then I have a chaotic tech ecosystem rather than one that works well together generally. But thats ok with our crappy healthcare I probably will be dead in 5 years LOL
 

rjjacobson

macrumors demi-god
Sep 12, 2014
8,247
25,588
Why be inventive and great if the government just wants to take it away. We should be able to fine government for their stupid policies and actions
Can they force Jaguar to put a Rolls Royce engine in their cars?
I am not a business person but yeah government is (in all forms) the most incompetent institution for incentive and helping business grow with good products.
 

d686546s

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2021
660
1,603
Just another country unable to compete so they resort to regulation.

Oh cry me a river please. There's a rich US history of regulatory barriers, subsidies and whatever else to benefit US companies or weaken overseas competition, the Inflation Reduction Act just being the latest. You might also question whether the kneecapping of all kinds of Chinese competition is really driven as much by security or ethical concerns as proponents like to claim.

Let's not pretend that the US is the beacon of free trade that some people like to claim it is and if you genuinely believe the US wouldn't go after European tech giants if the situation was reversed I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
 

robbietop

Suspended
Jun 7, 2017
876
1,167
Good Ol' US of A
"Dear CMA, we write to notify you of our intention to withdraw from the UK market effective next year. Any and all customers needing service will have to visit an approved outlet upon this undertaking. All orders will be imported and must be bought from an overseas store.

We apologize for this action, but the law as currently implemented is too vague, ambiguous, and punishing. We fear as a company that we may be unfairly targeted to deal with government spending issues and recoup tax revenue by whacking our collective piñata for legally free revenue. Thank you for your time and understanding." - Apple, Inc; Alphabet, Inc; Amazon, Inc; Microsoft, Inc; Meta, Inc.
 

webkit

macrumors 68030
Jan 14, 2021
2,917
2,526
United States
Just another country unable to compete so they resort to regulation.

Europeans often complain that goods and services are more expensive in the EU/UK. Here's a good example why.

A notable reason for that is the VAT. Hopefully Europeans feel they get adequate government benefits from the high tax they have to pay. Another potential factor at times can be the exchange rates.
 

webkit

macrumors 68030
Jan 14, 2021
2,917
2,526
United States
I always wonder what would happen if Google and Apple and Amazon just stop serving the UK. I mean, it's a big market, but is it worth giving up their algorithms?
The citizens won't be happy when they can't use these platforms anymore.

Losing Apple (iOS has around 52% share of the mobile OS market in the UK) and Google (Android has around 48% share) would be a significant hit/adjustment at least initially. Less of an impact on the computer side as Apple's desktop/laptop OS share is around 24% in the UK and Chrome is around 5%.

It would allow/force other companies to step up with their own mobile and computer operating systems.
 
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Realityck

macrumors G4
Nov 9, 2015
10,338
15,568
Silicon Valley, CA
Losing Apple (iOS has around 52% share of the mobile OS market in the UK) and Google (Android has around 48% share) would be a significant hit/adjustment at least initially. Less of an impact on the computer side as Apple's desktop/laptop OS share is around 24% in the UK and Chrome is around 5%.

It would allow/force other companies to step up with their own mobile and computer operating systems.
Could also force people not to spend so much awaken time on phones.
 

d686546s

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2021
660
1,603
"Dear CMA, we write to notify you of our intention to withdraw from the UK market effective next year. Any and all customers needing service will have to visit an approved outlet upon this undertaking. All orders will be imported and must be bought from an overseas store.

We apologize for this action, but the law as currently implemented is too vague, ambiguous, and punishing. We fear as a company that we may be unfairly targeted to deal with government spending issues and recoup tax revenue by whacking our collective piñata for legally free revenue. Thank you for your time and understanding." - Apple, Inc; Alphabet, Inc; Amazon, Inc; Microsoft, Inc; Meta, Inc.

You know why they won't do that? Because they'd be replaced by local alternatives in the medium to long term and miss out on a significant pool of relatively wealthy consumers.

Why is Apple selling phones in China when it needs to produce different hardware and software for that market? Because it pays and no power fantasy by Americans on some messaging board is going to change that.

American tech companies probably also read the room as neither the UK nor the EU are alone in these efforts and they probably expect frameworks generally to change along these lines.
 

webkit

macrumors 68030
Jan 14, 2021
2,917
2,526
United States
Sweden has been a socialist country for almost a 100 years and I can't say we're suffering, quite the opposite.

But didn't Sweden move a bit away from its previous "socialist" ways starting in the 1990s and has become more pro-capitalism in the last 30 years or so?
 

mrat93

macrumors 68020
Dec 30, 2006
2,285
3,035
I always wonder what would happen if Google and Apple and Amazon just stop serving the UK. I mean, it's a big market, but is it worth giving up their algorithms?
The citizens won't be happy when they can't use these platforms anymore.
“GIVING UP THEIR ALGORITHMS” i can’t breathe
 

foobarbaz

macrumors 6502a
Nov 29, 2007
885
2,048
Maybe shareholders would agree. I do t know. Leaving the market with the most onerous regulation and costly regulations would send a message to the EU for sure.
Yeah, and what a message: "Here, take our market share and distribute it to your local companies"
That'll teach 'em!
 

laptech

macrumors 68040
Apr 26, 2013
3,601
4,006
Earth
I would have thought the American people would be wanting Apple to stay in the UK because if Apple do decide to leave because of the new bill, Apple will lose billions of $$$ in yearly revenue. Where does the American people think Apple is going to recover that money from? thin air? nope, it will go on product price rises in their country.
 

robbietop

Suspended
Jun 7, 2017
876
1,167
Good Ol' US of A
You know why they won't do that? Because they'd be replaced by local alternatives in the medium to long term and miss out on a significant pool of relatively wealthy consumers.

Why is Apple selling phones in China when it needs to produce different hardware and software for that market? Because it pays and no power fantasy by Americans on some messaging board is going to change that.

American tech companies probably also read the room as neither the UK nor the EU are alone in these efforts and they probably expect frameworks generally to change along these lines.
I know, I know. AND LOL about there being alternatives. You mean large Chinese brands flooding the market? And their government doesn't give two dumps about the CMA or their fines.

"Dear CMA, the Chinese government respectfully declines to pay your fine on our business in your market. You can send your complaints to God or another imaginary person who cares. Get a larger military or a larger economic value and maybe you will have more leverage than useless words on a piece of paper and a name badge nobody respects." - CCP, People's Republic of China
 
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