Apple Blocks Beeper Users from Accessing iMessage on Macs, Sparking Controversy
Apple's crackdown on Beeper raises concerns over anticompetitive practices
In the ongoing battle between Apple and messaging app aggregator Beeper, Apple has taken another step by reportedly blocking Mac users who utilized Beeper’s services from accessing iMessage.
This move by Apple, seemingly aimed at disabling Beeper’s functionality, has left its own customers unable to use iMessage on their Mac computers. The situation has sparked discussions about Apple’s treatment of its users and the need for regulation in managing iMessage interoperability.
Beeper, a startup founded by Eric Migicovsky, originally offered a messaging app aggregator that allowed users to access various messaging services in one place. However, when Beeper introduced Beeper Mini, an Android app enabling iMessage access, Apple quickly found a way to disable it. Despite Beeper’s attempts to fix the issue, Apple continued targeting Beeper’s users, leading to the ban on iMessage usage for Mac users.
The actions taken by Apple have drawn the attention of lawmakers, who have urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate potential anticompetitive behavior by Apple concerning the Beeper Mini application.
Affected Beeper users have taken to public forums to voice their complaints, with some stating that Apple support representatives wrongly accused their Mac computers of spamming or sending excessive messages. This has led to speculation that Apple is flagging Beeper users for removal from the iMessage network.
While some argue that Apple’s actions are justified due to Beeper’s violation of Apple’s terms, others believe that regulation should govern iMessage interoperability rather than rogue apps. A few critics have raised concerns about Apple’s exercise of power in an anticompetitive manner.
In response, Apple previously cited security and privacy risks posed by Beeper’s techniques, including potential metadata exposure and unwanted messages.
Beeper has discontinued its efforts to develop an iMessage solution, focusing instead on building a robust chat app. Beeper’s founder, Migicovsky, has suggested that the issue may be an iMessage bug.
Both Apple and Beeper have been requested to provide further comments on the situation.
