Does the end user really prefer apps over a web interfaces? Do native apps bring some security benefits? Isn’t maintaining apps for every single operating system and phone model out there more costly and time consuming than offering universally accessible web interface that works on any device? Isn’t creating apps for every single product out there essentially about data collection?
Every app captures its own user data that they sell. By forcing you to use their official app they are turning your data into revenue for themselves.
This. All other opinions about “app is easier to maintain” or “expected experience” may be valid, but in reality the vast majority of mobile apps for services are just bloated with tracking.
Mobile apps have access to more personal information than websites and you are forced to use them. Unfortunately, there is no ublock origin for mobile OSes, thus you either enthusiastic enough to live with guards like TrackerControl or just accept “standard terms”. And let’s face it - 99% of mobile phone owners don’t even know you can block (or, at least, limit) apps access to sensitive info.
In many / most cases this is correct, but there are exceptions. My banking app isn’t selling my data. I imagine the main thing is support. It’s much easier to explain the process to grandma if there’s a native app.
It’s only available for android, however, duckduckgo has an app tracker protection thing.
Only downside is that it runs aa a vpn, so if you use a vpn out of home, you’ve gotta pick. I suggest you try it and look though. You’ll be horrified
Oh, also, as a fun experiment. Enable the protection, then go use Chrome for a bit.
And all these banking apps are full of ads to try to draw you into their other moneymaking services. They’re terrible.
This may be true for the Reddit app, but it’s definitely not true for most other apps. Tracking and selling data does not get easier with apps.
The main reason is to be on the users Home Screen, just one tap away from being on the app. Also, push notifications, pulling people back into the app.
Also there is a security benefit. Phones are protected quite well, so it is safer to keep a user signed on the device and maybe only a PIN or biometrics in front of the app to open it. The apps run in an isolated space, making it even safer.
Lastly there can be a performance benefit. Websites are written in HTML, CSS and JavaScript which is compiled on demand, while apps can be written in languages which are pre-compiled.
My banking apps use hundreds of megabytes for very little functionality and one bank actually uses Facebook trackers so there could be some truth to this. The only problem is that it would be illegal.