Well in this case, Apple make a ‘tool’ that lets you send multicast packets (it’s actually built in to the device, but it’s behind a lock) - and they will even give you the key to unlock that tool and instructions for how to use it if you apply through a form on their website!

That doesn’t seem quite so evil, does it?

If not for your replies elsewhere in this thread I'd assume you were being sarcastic.

Yes, a device manufacturer putting locks on my device that I can only open by "apply[ing] through a form on their website" does seem pretty evil to me.

If I own the device, why does it have a lock to which I do not have a fucking key?

"I sold him the car, officer! I just refuse to give him the keys to actually start it."

Because the main usecase of the device is running software written by third parties and if that tool was left unlocked occasionally that third party software would hack into your home router.

I don't mind the lock. I mind that it's a lock to which I don't have the fucking key.

I understand the risks of allowing local network access, I'd like to unlock the lock.

Why does apple still have control to say no?

I mean, you sort of do, don't you? You don't need to go through this to get the entitlement for a dev build that you put on your phone.

According to apple’s explanation page [1] (near the middle) you can only run on the simulator without the entitlement.

> Note: You can test your app using the iOS and iPadOS simulators without an active entitlement, but using multicast and broadcast networking on physical hardware requires the entitlement.

[1] https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=0oi77447

You actually can unlock it - just get an app written by a trusted developer that uses the multicast functionality, and you can use your phone to transmit the multicast traffic that app generates.

You’re free to access that functionality of your device, using software that uses it responsibly.

> using software that uses it responsibly.

So using it solely in ways Apple approves of - Since they're the arbiter of "responsible" here.

So how do I own this device again?

Who the fuck is Apple to tell me what responsible use looks like on a device that I own, on a network that I own, in my own damn home.

If you bought a car without a key it would still be yours.