Apple has been criticized for blocking Beeper Mini: protecting profits by squeezing competitors

CTOnews.com, December 12 (Xinhua)-- last week, an app called Beeper Mini came out, which allows Android users to use iMessage services without providing Apple ID credentials. However, just a few days later, Apple took steps to stop Beeper Mini from running and said it would continue to crack down on similar services.

Apple's move immediately attracted the attention of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Elizabeth Warren. She questioned Apple on social media why it was "blocking a new app that allows Android users to chat with iPhone users through iMessage", pointing out that "green bubble text is less secure". Warren believes that this is another example of technology companies "hitting competitors to protect profits."

"Green Bubble text is less secure, so why should Apple block a new app that allows Android users to chat with iPhone users through iMessage? tech executives are attacking competitors to protect profits," Warren said. "Cross-platform chat should be simple and secure."

CTOnews.com noted that Apple is currently facing antitrust investigations over a series of issues such as App Store, and whether the company's decision to crack down on Beeper Mini will exacerbate the situation remains to be seen, but the speed with which lawmakers are involved is surprising.

Apple confirmed in a statement on Saturday that it had taken steps to "prevent technology that uses fake credentials to gain access to iMessage". Although Beeper Mini was not specifically mentioned in the statement, Apple promised to "continue to update to protect our users."

Like Warren, Apple's statement stressed the importance of security, but from another perspective. Apple said it could not tell whether messages sent through Beeper Mini had end-to-end encryption.

As of Monday afternoon, Beeper Mini had been back online, but with some restrictions. It is almost certain that Apple will find a way to block it again.