"Both Wildberries and Ozon have chosen to cease operations starting from May 10 for all Russian citizens."
New and Shiny, but at What Cost?
Time: 2:05 PM, 6th MayAuthor: Remington Recks
Brace Yourselves!
Russian retail giants, Wildberries and Ozon, have dropped a shocker. Simultaneously, they've declared their mobile apps will cease functioning on older OS versions, including iOS 12, Android 8.0 Oreo, and earlier. This move has left millions of users scrambling as familiar online services become inaccessible on their outdated devices.
Why the Drastic Measures?
Both companies justify this step by emphasizing the importance of security and client data protection. Older operating systems are a goldmine for hackers, with numerous vulnerabilities ripe for exploitation, risking users' sensitive data, including bank card information and addresses.
Additionally, maintaining support for obsolete systems is a resource-intensive task. New features may not function correctly, and tech companies, including Apple and Google, routinely discontinue support for older OS versions to focus on cutting-edge technologies and user safety.
What's a User to Do?
With no app support, users sporting older devices face an unpalatable choice - upgrade their OS or bid farewell to Wildberries and Ozon apps. For the unfortunate few with budget or obsolete devices, the web version might be their only resort, albeit less convenient.
Although the web version maintains the essential store functions, the convenience of a dedicated app might be a thing of the past for some users. Companies argue that data protection is paramount, but this move could aggravate users, especially those with limited resources. Overall, phasing out support for older OS versions is a common practice aimed at making online shopping safer and more contemporary, as reported by the source.
A Deeper Look:
If this move materializes, users on older versions may encounter several challenges:
- Security Risks: Outdated systems could leave users vulnerable to cyber threats as they miss out on essential security updates.
- Feature Limitations: Users might miss out on new features and improved functionality, affecting their app experience.
- Performance Issues: Older operating systems might face compatibility issues, leading to glitches and performance degradation.
- Data Privacy Concerns: Inadequate data handling can lead to data breaches or privacy violations.
- Technical Support: Users on unsupported versions may face issues with technical support.
- Incompatibility with Other Services: Outdated versions might become incompatible with other services, affecting payment systems and integrations.
- Limited Access to New Services: Users might miss out on new services and features, putting them at a disadvantage compared to users on updated systems.
For affected users, upgrading to a newer OS version is the best bet to ensure continued access and security. However, users with devices incapable of supporting newer versions might struggle to use these apps effectively.
- As a result of the move, users with outdated devices face a choice: either upgrade their device's operating system or forego access to the Wildberries and Ozon mobile apps.
- The end of app support on older OS versions could pose several challenges for affected users, including increased security risks, feature limitations, performance issues, and data privacy concerns.
