Apple may not fulfill this macOS promise it made four years ago
Apple has announced that it will allow users to opt out of notarized online checks in 2021. This promise was announced after a massive server outage during the launch of macOS Big Sur in 2020. However, almost three years later, the company has still not fulfilled this promise.
Developer Jeff Johnson’s blog, spotted by 9to5Mac, also claims that all references to the feature have been removed from Apple’s support documentation.
What is macOS Application Document Service?
For those who don’t know, Macs typically run two security checks before launching an app. This means that it is necessary to verify that the app is not malware and that the developer’s certificate is valid. This process, called document verification, is designed to protect you.
If your Mac is offline, these checks typically fail without interrupting application startup. However, due to server outages in 2020, macOS did not have to look for responsive servers, which significantly delayed the app launch time.
Apple’s promises after the problems of macOS Big Sur
The 2020 disruption affected core services such as macOS installation, iMessage and Apple Pay. Most importantly, the outage crippled document services and caused significant problems for users attempting to open the application. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in Apple’s macOS app approval process.
Amid concerns that app usage data could be collected through eavesdropping, Apple has assured users that no such method exists. The company outlined several improvements in a support document, including a full opt-out option.
“To further protect your privacy, we will stop logging IP addresses associated with developer ID certificate checks and will ensure that collected IP addresses are removed from our reports,” Apple writes.
We will also be making changes to our security controls in the coming year.
• New cryptographic protocol to verify developer ID certificate revocation.
• Strong protection against server failures
• New settings that allow users to disable these security measures.
Apple has partially fulfilled its promise to improve the notary process. The company stopped collecting IP addresses and introduced cryptographic protocols to verify developer ID certificates. However, the much-needed option for users to completely opt out of online registration is still missing.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
