Apple launches 'Developer ID' program in prep for OS X 10.8
updated 05:10 pm EST, Mon February 27, 2012
Covers apps separate from Mac App Store
Apple is launching a new initiative called "Developer ID," an email notice informs. "The Mac App Store is the safest place for users to get software for their Mac, but we also want to protect users when they download applications from other places," Apple writes. "Developer ID is a new way to help prevent users from installing malware on their Mac. Along with Gatekeeper, a new feature in Mountain Lion, signing applications with your Developer ID certificate provides users with the confidence that your application is not known malware and has not been tampered with."
A Developer ID is notably distinct from an Apple ID, currently used by both developers and the public. Apple is taking a more restrictive approach to software in OS X Mountain Lion; Gatekeeper will, by default, only allow Mac App Store titles, or those signed with a Developer ID. Users will have to manually configure Mountain Lion to accept unsigned apps, something that may affect the Mac software industry.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Good On Them
So far as I'm understanding, this is EXACTLY what Apple should be doing with 10.8 to accommodate code signing while allowing apps to be obtained both through the Mac App Store and from 3rd party downloads.
Apple doesn't always do things like this right, but here it seems like they took into account (assuming they weren't already planning to do this) the criticisms of the way that the code signing system worked and came up with a solution that addressed all the reasonable ones.