• Companies aggressively push app downloads, especially in places like Taiwan, offering discounts but often installing without full consent, leading to spam and unwanted data collection.
• Avoid handing over your phone to staff and never download apps, as they provide minimal benefits compared to the risks involved.
• Primary risks include surveillance capitalism: apps enable extensive data tracking for targeted ads and "surveillance pricing," where prices vary based on inferred financial status (e.g., charging more after payday).
• This undermines fair pricing, giving corporations power over individual costs beyond market forces.
• Apps enforce binding arbitration clauses in Terms of Service, waiving rights to court, jury trials, or oversight; examples include Disney attempting to force arbitration in a wrongful death case linked to a Disney+ trial.
• Predictions highlight future abuses, like arbitration forced via unrelated services (e.g., Uber Eats leading to self-driving car disputes).
• Recommendation: Use websites or PWAs instead to preserve privacy and rights.

Hacker News Discussion

• Users debate apps vs. websites/PWAs: many praise PWAs (e.g., Mastodon, Photoprism) for performance when implemented well, criticizing poor web apps and noting apps often wrap webviews with extra tracking.
• Privacy concerns dominate: native apps access more device data (contacts, SMS, biometrics, etc.) even with permissions, unlike sandboxed PWAs; tools like NetGuard suggested for blocking app internet access.
• Loyalty discounts viewed as modern coupons by some, saving money despite data sharing, but others warn of surveillance pricing via purchase patterns and arbitration risks.
• Experiences shared: retailers reject Apple Pay to force accounts; global pushiness for apps noted; arbitrage limits price discrimination viability.
• Calls for better OS controls, open-source apps without tracking, and skepticism of app store security.

Nice succinct statement on the issue.