“Apple will soon make a code review mandatory for all applications distributed outside its own Mac App Store by new developers, a first step towards requiring all Mac software to pass similar reviews,” Gregg Keizer reports for Computerworld.
“The Cupertino, Calif. company argued that the process, which it calls ‘notarization,’ would build a more secure macOS environment,” Keizer reports. “‘We’re working with developers to create a safer Mac user experience through a process where all software, whether distributed on the [Mac] App Store or outside of it, is signed or notarized by Apple,’ the company stated in an April 10 message on its developer portal… ‘Notarization is not App Review,’ Apple told developers, referring to the process App Store software goes through. ‘The Apple notary service is an automated system that scans your software for malicious content, checks for code-signing issues, and returns the results to you quickly.'”
“‘In a future version of macOS, notarization will be required by default for all software,’ Apple said in its documentation,” Keizer reports. “That ‘future version’ could be as close as this year’s macOS 10.15, which if Apple hews to custom, will be introduced in June at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and released in September.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: The world’s most secure desktop operating system gets even more secure! The security and safety offered by the App Store for iOS apps is the model and is unmatched on any other platform.
SEE ALSO:
Apple will soon require all macOS apps to be notarized – April 9, 2019
Apple’s macOS third-party app clampdown probably not as bad as rumored – March 22, 2019
Apple locking down the Mac? macOS 10.15 said to require a developer ID certificate – March 20, 2019
And with that, people stop coding open source software for macOS and everyone moves back to linux.
Nice work Tim and Co.
I don’t necessarily see this as a goodbye to the open source community. If I understand the article correctly, open source should be good as long as it passes notarization. Granted, I’m not a developer, nor do I even play one on tv. It’s only what I can infer from it.
Ugh. They wouldn’t dare.
Would they?
Little Snitch it’s been nice while it lasted.
Great, hopefully they will review their advertising policy too, a company like Apple should not be supporting sites that permite and encourage online bullying. Isn’t that right MDN?
Good job Apple! Scan & review every single line of code to protect pur digital safety.
Bet someone files a class action lawsuit in the Eastern District of TX before I can post this.
Notarization will require and Apple Developer membership which is $99 or $299 per year (exceptions only for education, non-profit and government only): https://developer.apple.com/support/compare-memberships/