Yeah good point. Plus if it's a website you can use it in private mode and not have evidence that you were helping people evade the gestapo all over your phone.

The only reason I can think of is the cost. Apple makes the map API free if you use Apple Maps on Apple devices. If you are building a website, you have to pay for Mapbox or Google Maps, etc., that can get pricey for indie developers.

Barrier to entry.

Many (dare I say most) folks don’t know how to use a web browser, much less find a web app. Installing an App Store app is much easier.

It’s also much lower visibility for those who do know.

And that’s especially critical for this app, which relies on tons of people using it.

The creator is a dumdum

And then Android could use it too, so many apps should just be websites.

Or keep it an app, but just be a web wrapper.

Brings new meaning to Google's decision to (effectively) block side loading on Android

Everything is about control. The internet was left open by accident for a while and they are working hard to "fix" it. They are just trying to be slightly less obvious about it than China was. All of the forced AI tools, required apps and stuff like that are just ways to move users away from the open web.

Once most users restrict their Internet usage to ONLY content provided by the large companies (for example, once people no longer click on any Google result), then Internet providers will start granting access to the content from large companies for free and charge a lot more for access to anything else.

In 10, maybe 20 years, we will be needing to tell our internet providers when we change jobs so that they may change which "custom" internet services we get to have access to specifically for work.

It wouldn’t help.

In this case, even if the app was side-loadable and had a web app, that’s enough of a technical hurdle to kill its critical mass.

In other words, it doesn’t have to be banned; suppressing ICEBlock is basically enough to kill it.

EU didn't do anything except lower the tax on developers from 30% to 27%. And they still require Apple's rubber stamp to install.

Pretty sure Tim Apple couldn't care less, he just has to appease the Tangerine in Chief.

Still on mine as well. Why were folks slow to add this app?

You supported Apple if your own their phone. You helped them do this.

Just in case, if you're (still) a Nintendo, Sony, Tesla, Disney, Spotify, ... fan, it's not too late to change your mind about them too :)

We all believed they cared about privacy back then, I just never got one because side loading is essencial for me.

Yup. That would do it.

Apple fans gave up years ago, though. They don't want to give any effort. That's why you're being downvoted.

For people downvoting the above, read some criticisms the app such as:

https://micahflee.com/unfortunately-the-iceblock-app-is-activism-theater/

I don’t know of the take-down legit but the security of the app has been questioned, too.

Edit: The removal was bullshit. Apple should be pressured to put it back. But, the developer or someone else could do much better.