June 27th, 2024

Apple Disables WebKit's JIT in Lockdown Mode

Apple disables WebKit's JIT in Lockdown Mode for security, affecting web browsing speed. BrowserEngineKit complies with EU's DMA, allowing third-party engines while ensuring security. Apple balances compliance, security, and performance.

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Apple Disables WebKit's JIT in Lockdown Mode

Apple has disabled WebKit's JIT in Lockdown Mode, a high-security setting for targeted individuals. This move affects web browsing by blocking complex technologies like JavaScriptCore's JIT interpreter, resulting in slower performance. Apple's creation of BrowserEngineKit complies with the EU's DMA, allowing third-party browser engines while addressing security concerns related to JIT compilation. The framework restricts the use of potentially insecure technologies to trusted developers, ensuring user safety. Apple's decision to implement BrowserEngineKit reflects a balance between compliance, security, and performance. The company requires authorized developers to meet specific criteria and commit to ongoing privacy and security requirements to implement alternative browser engines. While BrowserEngineKit adds complexity, it is a necessary step to enable high-performance browser engines on iOS while maintaining security standards. Apple's approach underscores the importance of gatekeeping to uphold its brand promise with iOS, despite the challenges posed by allowing third-party browser engines.

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By @Waterluvian - 4 months
Are there any non-JIT high performance options for a language like JavaScript? (Either real or conceptual)