With Google's latest move to lock down the web (Web Environment Integrity) I'm reminded once again of all the folks who've earnestly tried to assure me over the years that the greatest threat to the open web is actually Apple not allowing 3rd party browser engines on iOS.

I genuinely believe that the fact that Webkit is the only engine Apple will allow on iOS is the only thing preventing a complete Chromium monoculture on the web right now.

User choice isn't worth shit if web devs don't support any browser except Chrome, and if 95% of people are using it then that's all they will support.

And to be clear, I'm not under any illusion that Apple's reasons for doing this are in any way noble. They're doing it because they don't want to be under Google's bootheel, and unlike most of us they are powerful enough to avoid that fate.

Is it better to be under Apple's boot than Google's? Maybe not. But I still think two boots are better than one.

@nicklockwood I was momentarily confused because while I know all the FAANG companies are famed for bizarre employee perks, I was confident I didn't see "Google's brothel" when I visited Mountain View.
@leeg @nicklockwood with all the sex pest stories about execs there … 😬
@steve @leeg @nicklockwood Don’t worry all the pests have been given sizable severance payments to leave the company
@saagar @leeg @nicklockwood Sergei’s still there in some capacity, no?
@steve @leeg @nicklockwood I mean they gave him a bunch of money and a bunch of things to do that are more interesting than harassing random engineers I think. But yes I guess he is technically still around