Bit of a left-field PSA this, but… if you own an iPhone/iPad in the UK and:
- you DON'T own a credit card
- you DON'T have a driving license
- you have NOT had your Apple account for more than 18 years
…don't upgrade to iOS 26.4 if you want to install (or some cases, use) 17+ rated apps or stream 18+ films/tv on itvX, netflix, etc.
The update adds mandatory OS-level age verification to meet UK law and Apple doesn't currently accept passports (!) to prove age.
I'm not sharing this to argue the merits/flaws in the Online Safety Act or similar legislation as a general point or Apple complying – it has to; it's law – but signpost a specific real-world edge case…
I don't drive, and I've never owned a credit card. Suddenly that makes me 17 again (hurrah),
While it's always flattering when people assume I'm younger than I am, it's rather unfunny to be unable to use apps or services I pay for...
@omgubuntu In exactly the same boat here.
I've had an iPhone and an Apple account since 2010.
Got my first Apple laptop in 2004.
Learned to nerd on an IBM RS/6000 running AIX 3.2.5 (not counting the parental ZX81).
However, I'm apparently a child, because I don't like the idea of living on credit and I think the private car isn't that great an idea.
@omgubuntu It doesn’t have to.
It could decide to leave the UK market.
Then the government would have to face a very disgruntled citizenry.
Which is the sort of thing that might even bring down a government.
But we’re talking about a trillion-dollar corporation. So, of course, they would comply.
If the UK government told Tim Cook he had to shoot a puppy on live TV to stay in the UK, he’d do it, no questions asked and probably blame it on his fiduciary duty to shareholders or some shit.
Fuck, I hate corporations.
My understanding, FWIW, is that there is no such law currently on the UK statute book, nor imminently about to be on the UK statute book, and Apple are simply lying when they say UK law requires it.
@only_ohm My bad; perhaps I'm inferring it's a requirement, when it's just Apple ass-covering.
The fact OFCOM is giving quotes to the press about how pleased they are to see the age gating arrive, I assumed it was part and parcel of the OSA, compliance for which is overseen by OFCOM.
Either way, it's frustrating.
When #PrinceBonesaw pays for a state surveillance platform, there are no half-measures.
https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-visits-apple-google-2018-4
https://www.businessinsider.com/absher-google-slammed-for-siding-with-saudi-government-app-2019-3
https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-peter-thiel-rupert-murdoch-met-with-bin-salman-2020-1
https://theintercept.com/2018/04/24/mohammed-bin-salman-mbs-saudi-arabia-yemen-war-crimes/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/sunday-review/mbs-hacking.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/business/dealbook/jeff-bezos-hack-saudis.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-google-shameful-part-in-saudi-system-absher-2019-8
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/apple-to-scan-u-s-iphones-for-images-of-child-abuse
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/02/opinion/sway-kara-swisher-julie-cordua-ashton-kutcher.html
Can confirm as my wife has this issue this evening following an iOS update.
This wasn't indicated prior to the update that this would be happening.
So what happens if you don't have a credit card or a passport (not everyone does)? 🤔
@omgubuntu It's always dangerous to say something like this on here, but the percentage of people who do not have a credit card (not a single one) must be vanishingly small.
Yes, five people will reply saying they don't, but still.
@tomw @omgubuntu Okay, see here's the thing: A lot of people really don't have a credit card; they have bank issued debit cards instead. That's my situation.
And for some reason those may not be accepted as proof of being an adult.
@tomw @omgubuntu Yes, I do believe that is the case.
But that would be super easy to fix... it's not like the bank wouldn't have a user's age information available, or a way to verify that it's actually an adult.
It will be interesting to see what the hardware looks like 🙂
@omgubuntu the final, most concrete and tech loyalist agnostic reason to never buy an apple device and wow, it's a big one
I know google will likely do this too but at least you don't need an account, have more control of the updates and can freeze/remove play services on android devices
omg! ubuntu
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