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Comment by lern_too_spel | Hacker News Reader

Google could have required people to enter credit card details to download apps at all on their phones, following the precedent Apple had already set. That hasn't happened.

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following the precedent Apple had already set

This is false.

You don't need to give Apple a credit card to download apps. You do need an iTunes account, which can be created without a credit card (I have two with no cards attached).

If you only download free apps, you're good. You can fund the account with PayPal or gift cards if you choose to download paid apps.

Try to refrain from making stuff up in your defense of Google.

I set up my 9 year old's apple watch yesterday. I had to enter my credit card details to add it to my Family. I didn't have to do this when linking my child's fitbit.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251793338 no longer requires a credit card after iOS 6 but is still heavy on dark patterns. A credit card isn't even asked for when creating a Google account at all. My point is that Apple either requires or tricks you into giving a credit card to use Apple services, and the only reason this is a big issue for Google is that many Google accounts don't have a credit card already.

iOS does not require CC info to download free apps. It's only needed to pay for paid apps (same as Android).

This is not straightforward on iOS, even after iOS 6 stopped strictly requiring it. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251793338

Ah I created the account on the device during initial setup, so that explains why I was never asked for CC info. Though from reading through the help page it appears they have an option for "none" for CC info when you create the account later. There are no screenshots on the page but I found some on Youtube.

https://imgur.com/a/9v1bkle

They don't do that out of benevolence. The reality is they know a huge portion of their customer base are already on the lower income side. If required that info upfront they would lose millions of customers. Never underestimate how many people live on the fringes of society. No bank account, no credit cards, no offical address.

Also worth remembering that selling you stuff is not how google makes most of their money. The sell you as a product. The more people they have on their system the more money they make even if they are not buying anything.

I've had an android phone for many years without ever putting in a CC to the play store. I've bought apps though through Fdroid though.

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