I choose Apple to be the custodian of apps that go on my phone. There is a platform where the user is the one that determines what goes on their phone, it's called Android.
That way, you can opt into digital serfdom and people like me can opt out.
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Serf here isn’t pejorative, but descriptive. Apple is behaving like a feudal lord. Down to the claims of protecting the land and arbitrating disputes.
For 99.9% of people, Android and iOS will be virtually identical in terms of freedom, as they will just install apps from the play store and use google-services on the manufacturer-provided (and -bloated) android install that comes with their phone.
That being said, for those who do care, the ability to take control of your phone and run AOSP, an actually FOSS distribution, and only run FOSS apps, or install whatever app you want, is unparalleled on Android vs iOS.
I don't understand why people feel the need to force Apple into a specific strategy when they are not a monopoly. They aren't the only game in town, you don't _need_ an iPhone. Every single person who has an iPhone has chosen to have that device.
Perhaps the reason people don't like the idea that if you want choice you choose the platform that gives you choice, is because Android is a steaming pile of garbage.
I didn't want an iphone. I was forced to get one, because Apple won't allow any web browser on their platform except their web browser. So I can't deliver a working website for iphone users without having a real iphone to develop on. This is an absolutely abusive, anti-competitive and shitty artificial limitation Apple has forced on the world. I'd really rather just tell my users to install Chrome or Firefox and use that instead of being forced to use Safari. This isn't good for developers, and it's not good for their customers whether they know it or not.
As far as the software - Apple owns iOS and licenses it to you for your device.
I bougth it, is not a lease, is not a license to use it, I own the device. I should be able to run whatever I want on it.
Stop spreading missinformation, you are thinking about software.
According to your argument, they __are__ a monopoly. I.e. one on digital serfdom. Because apparently Android is in a different field.