{"id":2194,"date":"2024-10-04T19:36:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T15:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/property\/apples-move-social-apps-threatened\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T13:22:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T09:22:25","slug":"apples-move-social-apps-threatened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/property\/apples-move-social-apps-threatened\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple&#8217;s New Update: How It Could Impact Social App Businesses in Oman"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes 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0;white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}\r\n.hitv3sogs{font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.6);line-height:1.4;margin-top:3px;white-space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}\r\n.hitv3sogbl{display:none;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;margin-top:9px;align-self:flex-start}\r\n.hitv3sogbi{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:11px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.55);font-weight:500}\r\n.hitv3sogct{position:relative;z-index:1;flex-shrink:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center}\r\n.hitv3sogbtn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;padding:10px 24px;background:#dc2626;background-image:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(255,255,255,.12) 0%,transparent 100%);color:#fff;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;border-radius:8px;white-space:nowrap;box-shadow:0 0 20px #dc262666;border:none;cursor:pointer;font-family:inherit;transition:filter .15s,transform .15s}\r\n.hitv3sogbtn:hover{filter:brightness(1.15);transform:scale(1.04)}\r\n.hitv3sogbr{font-size:9px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.18);text-align:center;margin-top:5px;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Compact horizontal: 380\u2013599px (like 320\u00d7100) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:380px) and (max-width:599px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{padding:12px 22px;gap:12px;min-height:100px}\r\n  .hitv3sogh{font-size:16px}\r\n  .hitv3sogs{display:none}\r\n  .hitv3sogbtn{padding:7px 16px;font-size:11px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Mobile\/card: < 380px (like 300\u00d7250) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (max-width:379px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;min-height:260px;padding:22px 22px;gap:10px}\r\n  .hitv3sogc{align-items:center;text-align:center}\r\n  .hitv3sogh{font-size:22px;white-space:normal}\r\n  .hitv3sogs{font-size:11px;white-space:normal}\r\n  .hitv3sogbl{display:flex;align-self:center;text-align:left}\r\n  .hitv3sogbtn{width:100%;justify-content:center;padding:12px 20px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Wide: >= 600px (leaderboard style) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:600px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{min-height:90px}\r\n}\r\n<\/style><!-- HiT Land Banner \u2014 Container Query Responsive -->\r\n<div class=\"hitv3sogw\">\r\n<a class=\"hitv3soga\" href=\"https:\/\/hit.land\/services\/web-app-development\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-fadein 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0s;\">\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogg1\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-glow 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogg2\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3soggl\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-shimmer 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogc\">\r\n    \r\n    <div style=\"display:inline-flex;align-self:flex-start;align-items:center;gap:6px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitv3sog-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OMAN OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogh\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Websites For <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Omani Businesses.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogs\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Empower your brand with custom digital solutions designed for high conversion and market dominance.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbl\"><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Responsive designs built for growth<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Fast loading with smart automation<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitv3sogbtn\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Build Your Free Website <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>By Kevin Roose<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This year, Apple unveiled iOS 18, its latest mobile operating system, drawing significant attention for its new artificial intelligence features. However, a less prominent change concerning an obscure element that allows users to share their contact lists may prove even more impactful.<\/p>\n<p>This feature, known as &quot;contact sync,&quot; has been crucial to the growth of numerous social and messaging applications over the past two decades. It enabled platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat to tap into existing iPhone users&#8217; networks, facilitating rapid growth by suggesting connections and propelling these apps to the top of the App Store rankings.<\/p>\n<p>Some developers are now expressing concerns that launching new apps will become increasingly challenging. Nikita Bier, a startup founder with experience in creating viral applications for younger audiences, referred to the changes in iOS 18 as \u201cthe end of the world,\u201d suggesting they could lead to new friend-based social apps being deemed \u201cdead on arrival.\u201d While this may sound dramatic, discussions with Bier and other developers\u2014along with insights from Apple\u2014revealed a complex situation. Apple believes these changes prioritize user privacy, though some competitors view them as an underhanded strategy to disadvantage rivals. <\/p>\n<p>On one side, I empathize with the difficulties developers face while trying to launch new social applications today. The alterations in iOS 18 will certainly complicate the success of emerging apps. In a landscape where smaller applications find it increasingly tough to thrive, established platforms like Facebook and Instagram stand to gain, as they already benefit from established user networks.<\/p>\n<p>Conversely, I support Apple&#8217;s assertion that giving users more control over their contact sharing enhances privacy. Many apps that request complete access to user contacts can feel intrusive, and personally, I intend to utilize this feature to keep sensitive contacts\u2014such as confidential sources\u2014secure across various social and messaging applications. This scenario highlights the significant influence that dominant players like Apple have, where even minor updates to their products can cause substantial ramifications throughout the tech industry. It underscores the balance between fostering competition and ensuring privacy that many tech companies and regulators are currently navigating.<\/p>\n<p>Previously, iOS applications could prompt users for access to their contacts via a &quot;data access prompt.&quot; If granted permission, developers received a complete list of contacts from the user&#8217;s address book, including phone numbers and email addresses. This data could then help apps construct a user&#8217;s social graph or recommend other accounts to follow.<\/p>\n<p>In iOS 18, users who agree to provide contact access now encounter a second prompt, allowing them to select specific contacts to share, rather than handing over their entire address book at once. <\/p>\n<p>Apple&#8217;s rationale for this change is straightforward: users should not be compelled to choose between an all-or-nothing access option. Many users maintain large contact lists on their devices, often containing individuals they prefer not to share publicly. Just as iOS has allowed selective access to photos for years, it argues that the same principle should apply to contact lists. Apple asserts that developers may actually find increased contact sharing, as users who previously declined to share any contacts might be more inclined to select specific ones.<\/p>\n<p>However, developers contest this perspective. Bier noted that data from startups he advises indicated a significant drop in contact sharing post-iOS 18 implementation and pointed out that, in some cases, the number of users sharing ten or fewer contacts increased by as much as 25%. Other developers reported similar experiences but preferred to remain anonymous to avoid potential backlash from Apple.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, critics highlight the fact that iOS 18&#8217;s modifications do not extend to Apple&#8217;s own services. For instance, iMessage does not require permission to access users&#8217; contacts, unlike third-party platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and WeChat. This has led some to label the situation as anticompetitive, reflecting a form of self-preferencing that has raised concerns among antitrust regulators.<\/p>\n<p>iPhone users still have the option to upload their entire address books, and Android continues to require an all-or-nothing consent. Yet, the added step in iOS 18 is likely to result in fewer contacts being shared.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, Bier speculated that friend-based social apps might be overshadowed by alternatives like TikTok, which prioritizes content based on user preferences rather than social connections, or AI-based companionship applications that do not necessitate human interaction.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019d have to be pretty crazy already to pursue a friend-based social app,\u201d Bier remarked. \u201cNow, it\u2019s all but impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><style>\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes 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solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitl8gak-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakh\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Your Website <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Should Sell.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gaks\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Custom-built websites with smart automation & AI-powered features.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbl\"><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>SEO-optimized & lightning fast<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Smart features built for your business<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitl8gakbtn\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Get Free Consultation <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman&#8217;s Market<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The changes in <strong>iOS 18 regarding contact sharing<\/strong> present a dual-edged sword for businesses in Oman; while prioritizing <strong>user privacy<\/strong> enhances consumer trust, it also creates <strong>barriers for app developers<\/strong>, particularly those aiming to launch social apps. <strong>Entrepreneurs and investors<\/strong> should pivot towards innovative platforms that sidestep traditional contact-based models, considering emerging trends like <strong>content-driven apps<\/strong> or <strong>AI technology<\/strong>, as these might offer more room for growth in an increasingly restrictive environment.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Apple&#8217;s iOS 18 has introduced a significant change with its contact-sharing feature, allowing users selective access to their contacts. This impacts social apps&#8217; ability to thrive, raising concerns from developers about creating new platforms. While privacy is prioritized, the future of friend-based apps seems bleak, potentially favoring established players and shifting user engagement towards content-based platforms like TikTok.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":2195,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[486],"tags":[613,612,611],"class_list":["post-2194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-property","tag-app-development","tag-contact-sharing","tag-ios-18"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2792351.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2194"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2194\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2196,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2194\/revisions\/2196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}