Mr Cook and Apple want to be in the arena, not on the sideline. Problem is that they now confuse the arena with the sideline. The same was true for American corporations with respect to South Africa back in the early 80s.
The only arena that Mr Cook and Apple (and the NBA) can see is the arena of greed and profit. For Apple or the NBA to say otherwise is a lie.
The NBA offers a bad product that consists of infinite boredom, so quitting them was easy. I liked Apple products, but we are done now,over this.
Both Apple and the NBA and other greedy US enterprises will put the bottom line in front of moral responsibility until they see that it is hurting their bottom line.
When those companies finally come to their senses, the problem will probably be “Too late”.
I look forwards to the next generation of innovative and responsible corporations that will break The Apple monopoly in the tech industry and the NBA monopoly in basketball.
Just so Mr Cook knows, I am writing this on a second generation MacBook Air that needs to be replaced. I read in the NYT about how Microsoft is now the responsible corporate giant. I look forwards to seeing what products they have to offer.
3
Only South Park is standing up to China. Apple, NBA, Google - spineless puppets.
6
Rotten to the core!
2
This shows why Cook has such a good relationship with Trump. It is all about shared values.
As we watch Apple, and Google help China's oppression and Facebook running millions of dollars of lies for Trump might we finally realize that Big Tech is NOT freeing us but building an oppressive surveillance Society.
Apple, Google and Facebook are terrified of Warren and Bernie and are throwing their weight behind Trump and China.
Monopolies do very well under Authoritarians as long as they lick the proper boots.
6
But at the same time I have a restores an app that allows it to commune with the ghost of Winnie the Pooh So it all kind of balances out
1
Hey looks like it's a really neat app. How dare that Evil Empire China want to ban it? I think we should have this app promoted in every American city so next time I want to speed I know exactly where the traffic cops are.
4
Well, now we know who's in charge of Apple, don't we?
6
It is a sad day for Apple fans, Americans, and all those around the world who value freedom more than wealth.
Even the mighty Apple has to give in to an authoritarian government. How can Apple users trust that Apple won’t give in to China if China asks for private information on specific users?
5
Chilling. It's a reminder that we're all complicit in China's appalling human rights violations, by buying their products.
9
@Larry McCallum, so true. We need to reflect upon our own society, or we will lose our hard earned freedom to the communists soon. We have already lost some of our freedom of speech to express our core values as we care so much about how China reacts.
1
China attempts to control the meme; in this case a tool that could be used for supporting and developing an alternative meme that is deemed threatening to Xi Jinping 'vision' for China's political interests.
But I say, Xi listen up - China is ruled by fear and oppression, get over it, it's a stupid plot that always fails because it's no fun. So simple, no need to repeat it.
...by the way, your violent strategy is causing tragic suffering to over a billion people, so stop it now.
Take time to smell the roses, and do something nice today for a billion people. How many people can say they did 'that today, or even this year or this life?
Don't just 'change' your mind about obsessing via oppression and 'ends' justify the means viewpoint - 'transcend' yourself Xi; try it you'll like it! Don't build a scary government to control people.
Happiness is a real thing that politicians can foster and support; it's enormously effective, and well fun too... the polls, very good.
Remember Xi, the true heart meets no resistance in leadership.
3
Whatever Apple is doing in San Juan Puerto Rico and the South Side of Chicago matters much more to me than happenings in Hong Kong China.
1
Apple has made a clear call over and over in China: profits are more important than slave wages, than worker suicdes, than uyghur concentration camps, than violent oppression of democratic protest. Apple will let you die to sell another phone in China, they've already proven they're willing to do the opposite, and China is the new golden goose.
6
Just like always telling the truth makes it easy because you never have to remember exactly what you said because you know you told the truth, it would be easy to always take positions based on democratic, human rights-based principles, rather than try to walk some arbitrary and meaningless line between that and not.
In the end, if you don't always tell the truth, then you're a lair. And, if you don't always take positions based on democratic, human-rights based principles, then you're an enabler, nee supporter, of authoritarian regimes that are their antithesis.
2
The morality of corporate America is obvious. Money matters more than anything else. Shame Apple!
4
i thought apple was like the most cash flush company ever.why ?
1
There’s definitely a worm in this Apple.
7
@Roy A worm named Tim Cook.
2
China is a communist country with a horrific human rights effort. Western countries have shelved their morals in favour of cheap consumer products. Pathetic!
3
Gutless move!
1
For all you self-righteous people, who are thousands of miles from HK, and believe that Apple shouldn’t pull the App that allows rioters to track the police, here’s info hot off the press. Of 2,375 people arrested in HK during protests/riots since June, nearly 1/3 rd were under 18 years old, according to the HK govt. And everybody knows teenagers under 18 are quite mature. Thus, other anti-govt. forces may be using them to do the duty work. Here’s the statistics: of a total of 2,379 people arrested in protests/riots since June, 750 were under 18 years old. Of those 750 teens, 104 were under 16 years old. And yes, rioter/thugs have attacked police a number times, using you pick, Molotov cocktails, bricks, iron rods, knives, steel balls and other metal object fired from sling shots and catapults.
12
@Joe -(ex-HK) Sounds like pretty wimpy weapons when they're being used to fight a ruthless totalitarian government.
8
I recommend you come to Hong Kong and see what these “ whimpy “ weapons have done to our public transport system.
3
@Joe -(ex-HK) This is not about (self) righteousness. It is about wanting to be a free man instead of a slave to an authoritarian government going forward.
10
So who will remove the software that Hong Kong police use to attack non-violent protesters?
6
can you point me to a report stating that HK police attacked non-violent protesters?
@american expat
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/world/asia/hong-kong-extradition.html
Hong Kong Police Face Criticism Over Force Used at Protests
Following this process since about that time, it has seemed to me--from what I read in the Times and elsewhere--that the HK police were the first to escalate the potential and actual violence.
That has also been the norm with most protester/police interactions around the world--as I have studied these processes.
I have personally experienced both respectful arrests and many instances of verbal obscenities and other grossly disrespectful behaviors from domestic and federal law enforcement--but not any physical violence.
1
Apple would be smart to start moving its assembly operations out of China and only keep enough to support the Chinese market, which will continue to go down as cheaper Chinese smart phones provide the same features or better.
5
It's simply amazing the things people do for money.
7
My family owns many Apple products and I was planning to buy a new iPad Pro soon. However, I will now indefinitely delay that purchase because I refuse to support companies that support authoritarian governments who restrict freedom and violate human rights. The most chilling comment I have seen thus far is that Apple would have removed an app that could have saved Anne Frank if it meant they could have kept their German profits. Think about that. You know that it’s true and similar to the situation with Hong Kong and China.
86
@Todd Johnson
Look for the Made in XXXX and make purchasing decisions. The way the US businesses are setup, it is nearly impossible to get anything that does not pass through China. Chinese manufacturing is cheap and stable. It does not have the issue of unions and strikes that makes it better than India for manufacturing.
3
@Todd Johnson, good for you. I thought highly of Apple before and thought they would not kowtow the Chinese communist party. It is a sad day for Apple fans. Just imagine now that China ask Apple about user identity and information of some Apple users. Would you trust Apple not giving in to China?
6
So sad.
Those students and protestors are fighting for democracy for all of us. They are our front line. I find it tragic that Apple took this tool away from them. It could have weighed the resources that Hong Kong police and China have against the resources the legitimate, largely peaceful, well-educated, and clearly brave protestors have. The police have unlimited resources. They are paid, equipped by the state with protective clothing, tear gas, truncheons, guns and live bullets, vast surveillance technology and state-control media. The protestors, mostly young, are unpaid, have no body armour, have been denied masks to protect themselves from teargas, and have no central leadership. They have their education, and their experience of democracy and freedom of expression - along with an App - on their side. Goliath: David. Totalitarianism: Democracy. Apple and big tech want to make the world a better place. This is a case study. What is the right thing to do? What will make the world a better place? hmmm. Apple: be the change you want to see in the world.
49
In reference to the statement Mr. Cook made about China and staying involved ..."You get in the arena, because nothing ever changes from the sideline." Mr. Cook, you're in the arena but you're still silent. Actually, it's worse than silence because you've allowed yourself to be a pawn in China's arena. What do you think would happen if all of the external businesses that stand inside China's areana suddenly came out and said "no more!". Do you think China is simply going to throw everyone out next week? Their economy would crash in six month as manufacturing left. As an Apple stock holder, I am willing to have a little less growth and a bit more moral conscience and spine when it comes to doing the right thing. Do the right thing and if China forces Apple out of it's backyard, that's fine too. Asia's backyard is big enough without them.
35
As a long time Apple personal and business customer, I'm appalled at yet another iconic US company groveling before their Chinese masters. Tim Cook should read Martin Niemoller's "First they came for the socialists . . ." Same for the NBA. If the Chinese gov is so offended my one "I support freedom in HK" tweet, let then watch Croatian BB or Australian Rules Football instead.
25
So we see our tech companies and others bending to authoritarianism and refusing to protect Democracy.
We are in dangerous territory here...
23
The parallels to Orwell’s 1984 are evident. US corporations doing business in China now find themselves in Room 101 where they are being terrorized by their worst fears (i.e., lost profits and stranded assets). It’s hard not to capitulate when your freewill (read capitalistic allegiance) and existence are at stake.
2
Another soulless American corporation that gets seriously creative around tax liabilities and is willing to sell out democracy for the almighty dollar. How many more billions do you need to make for your shareholders before they admit that they have enough money to live well for generations and there’s no good reason to sacrifice over basic human rights/environment?
8
Apple, this is capitalism in its worst form. Freedom is smothered and oppression is allowed for economic gain. Way to "jump in the arena".
15
@Carrie
This literally supports communism. For a society that reveres Regan, America has conveniently forgotten about the Cold War. Money over basic decency. Sounds about right.
1
@Angelica Yep, couldn't agree more.
1
Who would have ever suspected that the company that pays slave wages to people who live in barracks and then sells their products at obscenely inflated prices to hordes of vapid consumers would stoop to such behavior?
17
Isn't the Patriot act still in place? Didn't the Attorney General just ask several US companies to hold off on encryption? Isn't the President accusing members of the CIA of espionage as an excuse to go after political rivals?
I suspect Apple is under pressure to comply with political pressure every where it operates.
3
I am looking for a comprehensive list of all assets and companies under Apple's umbrella. Dealing with their public interface is disturbing and dystopian. A giant internet company with not a single email address posted on their website. The only contact information available is about selling or services. No place to lodge a complaint.
Editor’s note: This comment has been anonymized in accordance with applicable law(s).
6
@Bruce https://www.apple.com/feedback/ generally gets at least a form letter response back.
This story overstates the effect of Apple's decision.
There's a web version of the map available using any browser, no app required, as well as an app still available for Android devices.
So the information will remain very widely available.
5
@nap
Thank you, time to take down that URL for the web version. This surveillance is very dangerous to the police, and give rioters opportunity to evade crime as well conducting vandalism.
Would America want that?
The App can be used to protect the protestors or attack the police. Better it doesn't exist. Apple/Google aren't wrong... just cautious.
1
The developers and users of the app are Chinese people, but you can hurt their feelings. You can hurt them in general, because Hong Kong is part of China. Just don’t hurt Chinese people’s feelings.
Either you support freedom and democracy or you support
China.
No middle ground.
If you own an Apple product, you should destroy it and cancel all accounts with them.
All this talk about not supporting Apple’s wishy washy ways is just that’s, talk...
Do something and stand up for your sentiments. Prove it.
5
Google isn't really much better though, so what's the alternative? Can't ask people not to use smartphones.
For the record, I've been using Android for years, but the privacy and security issues I'm exposed to as a result keep making me look towards Apple products.
@Randy L.
These are not democracy fighters, they are criminal rioters who hurt people and vandalize public as well as private properties.
We don't want them here in America.
I assume the APP is not created by Apple. Apple could be liable for financial and other damages if they do not disconnect the APP. It is even more problematic if there is loss of life and other serious injuries.
If someone in the US develop a similar product and make it available in the US, I am sure it would also be highly demanded by certain segments of the society, or from people who just don't want to get ticketed for speeding. Do you think law enforcement would not complain and let that go?
6
For many people, Apple's "app" store has BECOME their internet—and when one state-controlled megacorp controls the internet, that state (here, China) controls the people too.
So no Apple for me. I like internets that weren't captured.
8
For many people, Apple's "app" store has BECOME their internet—and when one state-controlled megacorp controls the internet, that state (here, China) controls the people too.
So no Apple for me. I like internets that weren't captured.
3
I used to be a fervent fan of Apple.
They just lost me for the last time.
4
[Heat shield on]
The sentiments in these comments are quite surprising. I have no objection to a local community requesting that an app linked to police attacks be disabled. I frankly expect nothing less.
The reasons that the police being attacked are separate issues and must also be addressed. To hold the police accountable is essential. Determining the veracity of reports of attacks is critical. Allowing an app to track police movements in an environment of attacks is a different discussion all together.
6
@Backwash Have you seen documented reports of organized attacks on police or are you just relying on the statement provided by Apple? Because I haven't seen many media reports on this but I have seen a lot of reports of police attacking protesters. And I would think that Hong Kong would have a large incentive to show attacks on police but I haven't seen many. From what I've seen it's more protesters defending themselves not laying traps for the police.
Also, would you suggest that Waze be removed from the App Store due to its ability to allow people to identify where there is a police presence?
3
This is the same company that refused to help the FBI, which had obtained a lawful search warrant and a court order, to unlock a domestic terrorist's iPhone in California. At the time, Tim Cook got on his high horse and preached how all he cared about was his customers' privacy.
However, Apple seems to have no problem going belly-up whenever China orders it to do something. So we're left with a company that won't help U.S. law enforcement investigate murderous terrorists at home, but would gladly help a totalitarian regime oppress its people abroad. Got it.
23
American companies need go stop capitulating to the state. If Apple can push back against the FBI, they should do the same with the CCP
6
@OM other country, other rules. Is the money...
I am deeply concerned with these actions by Apple. It is not only showing its profit interests but letting people know that values of free speech and freely sharing information is not their concern. They should be embarrassed and not let a government decide what freedom means for the company.
5
The problem isn’t unique to Apple. This is happening to Blizzard and the NBA too. The problem is that China can dictate what Americans say and do.
10
@John They can't dictate what Americans say and do; I have yet to see members of the PAP fly into California to arrest Blizzard and Apple executives. However, they can dictate if they want these American businesses to do in China. Americans and American companies are free to make decisions based on that fact.
Can't have your cake and eat it too.
Apple has done exactly the right thing by dumpling this application.
Anyone who follows events in Hong Kong knows there are the vast majority who are protesting peacefully, and there are those who have physically attacked the police, shut down the transit system. Hong Kong folks know when they have gone too far, such as the rapid retreat from occupying the airport.
But attacking the police? Apple did the right thing by pulling the application.
10
That's easy for you to say. Do you have any evidence?
If I were a peaceful protestor, I'd want to know where the police were and who they were cracking down on!
The situation is fraught with State violence.
Apple has capitulated -- and why they should they believe assertions by Hong Kong's Bureau of Cyber Security about what is happening?!
Apple, Google, and Facebook kowtow to authoritarian and dictatorial governments in pursuit of the all-mighty dollar. They should not. They should be supporting democracy and human rights and exercise corporate responsibility.
"Respecting local laws" is Orwellian Double Speak.
28
@Svirchev
With the face mask law, every protester, no matter how peaceful, is at risk. This is the PRC. They can arrest anyone they want. Period.
That is what the HK people are resisting.
8
@Svirchev Thansk for your immense compassion. The body of a 15 yo female, competent swimmer, was found naked in the sea several days after being arrested by the police. A female university student and male high school student came out tonight finally on being sexually assaulted by the police while at detention. An Indonesian reporter shot by the police causing permanent blindness on one eye. People arrested and evidence planted captured right on video but the police still denied it. A couple plus a 5yo kid were arrested for "illegal assembly" just because that constituted THREE person by including the boy.
YET, the police already breached the law by NOT displaying their badges or face. There will never be any accountability from them because they are masked. They are the God right now in HK.
These are why Hong Kong people resist.
6
Time to show Apple that pressure for freedom and democracy is more powerful than China's. You are in the arena, Mr. Cook. The question is whose side are you on?
25
As an employee of nearly a decade, this decision by the company disgusts (but does not surprise) me. If it were happening in any other country, Apple would have spoken up against the crimes that have been committed against the Hong Kong people. Because they’re in China’s pocket, they say nothing. Recently, I’ve considered finding a job elsewhere for other reasons. Today, I’m updating my resume.
27
@Employee
Really? Does apple do that in Turkey, Pakistan, Yemen?
@Employee Apple is really mortified by you disapproval.
All these American companies are complicit in the
erosion of democracy. Capitalism again rears its ugly head in the worst way possible.
5
Mr. Cook says Apple is in China out of some moral obligation to help change the world.
“You get in the arena, because nothing ever changes from the sideline.”
Thanks for clearing that up, I thought it was about avoiding organized labor and exploiting workers in a fascist system instead. You know, for profit.
Think different.
23
Apple begins to rot from within.
15
Worldwide, Apple and all the rest cooperate with any dictator or thug that wants his country blanked from any knowledge of the outside world.
APPLE: Why haven't you ever blacked-out the apps that deal in child porn or trafficking in humans?
Got it.
17
What did you expect from Tim Apple, a Trump supporter?
4
Are we really surprised by the direction of Apple? Tim Cook is a hypocrite and cannot be trusted
6
Yeah, we don't need China dominating all aspects of the economy in the future like they plan to, especially in technology. This "trade" war could not have come sooner.
6
China is getting out of hand. Seems that the Hong Kong protests have worked. China is testing the ire of United States and U.S. companies so will (appropriately) stand firm for American values of freedom of speech and expression. China will then have to make difficult decisions. The Chinese populace will ultimately suffer. The more China takes untoward action toward the U.S. as a result of the protests the more the Hong Kong protesters should feel emboldened.
6
China is getting out of hand. Seems that the Hong Kong protests have worked. China is testing the ire of United States and U.S. companies so will (appropriately) stand firm for American values of freedom of speech and expression. China will then have to make difficult decisions. The Chinese populace will ultimately suffer. The more China takes untoward action toward the U.S. as a result of the protests the more the Hong Kong protesters should feel emboldened.
1
Are there "avoid the cops" apps in the U.S? I don't think so, and if there were i am sure there would be an uproar about it and that Apple would remove it.
7
@Atruth
The difference is that in the US, we have frequently have independent oversight of our police forces, something Carrie Lam has steadfastly refused. There is also the opportunity in the US to bring a police department to court.
The Hong Kong police historically were rock solid but people today can very legitimately question their actions across these many months.
In the US, people are not being beaten and pepper sprayed on trains. Nor are they being shot at by tear gas and projectiles, aimed at the head. Nor are they being sprayed with pepper laced blue dye from water cannon trucks.
None of this would even be a point of conversation if the government would simply listen to the people, follow the Basic Law, and allow the Hong Kong people's voice to be heard (not muted) at the ballot box.
9
@Winston Churchill
Not this nor that... I suggest you go look at footage of Ferguson. I recall APCs and police looking like they're about to invade a foreign country.
I would also bet you that unjustified death-by-cop in any U.S. city of even 1/4 the size of HK is much higher by an order of magnitude.
"In the US, people are not being beaten and pepper sprayed" they certainly are if they deviate from approved protester routes and if the protest turns from peaceful to violent. What U.S. are you living in??
1
@Atruth there is, it's called waze and it's one of the most popular app in the us. Your argument is empirically false. We mark where police are on the highway all the time, and when you're a protestor or simply a citizen and tear gas and violence is erupting around you as police beat their citizens back from peaceful, disruptive, effective protest.
1
Really upsetting to see how many (American) companies are bending their sense of civic duty and commitment to American values to open up the Chinese market.
On the other hand - is there anything more American than profits above all else?
I will suspending by purchase of Apple products (was looking at a new iPad for Christmas) until Apple course-corrects.
6
Apple disappoints. I’ve been an apple fan and heavy user since 1984. We’ll be rethinking that edit station purchase today and for the first time ever bring a pc to our studio.
Shame shame shame on you Apple. So much for that Brave New World I invested in back in ‘84. You are the sucks ups now. And is indeed a black day.
18
Remember Apple's iconic 1984 advertisement during the Superbowl? It was a lie then, and it's a lie know. Apple IS Big Brother.
1
OK, Apple - NBA? You will lose me as a devoted customer if you obey a cruel, authoritarian regime. Get it?
4
So for our phones, the choice is now between kowtowing to dictators (Apple) or the digital Stasi (Android). Can we have a phone OS that is neither? Or absent that, can we all change our language and call these gadgets slavephones instead of smartphones? Because not only are we enslaving ourselves with them, but it seems they are also promoting the slavery of others, like the brave people in HK.
1
Recently sold my Apple stock. Based on this news, I am glad I did. Apparently democracy and freedom of expression is subject to the corporate bottom line, and threats of reprisals from foreign countries, even for the enlightened left leaning corporate moguls who control Apple.
1
Article says it all, Tim Cook will speak out about issues in America because it won't hurt his bottom line. The US government doesn't boycot or shut down companies over free speech issues. China does, and like all publicly owned business Apple puts profits over anything else.
The choice is clear, you can protest on twitter but the better action is to protest with your wallet.
3
“Letting poisonous software have its way is a betrayal of the Chinese people’s feelings...”
How laughable, especially when contrasted against the effort to seek and maintain basic freedom.
And, so disappointing to see Apple—under the guise of “simply following the rules”—cave into the demands of a child-like authoritarian state.
1
How did they even track police?
Is it some kind of "Waze" app (users can manually input to the app that a certain location has police ) that we have in the united states?
Or do they detect police frequencies and localize them
So, Apple bows to the Chinese because the App helps the protesters against a murderous regime that crushes free speech , while at the same time refusing to remove a demonstrably false ad by the trump campaign targeting his chief rival, thus aiding trumps re-election efforts. Sociopathic massacres and threats against citizens, globally, are left online to protect free speech. White supremicists, Nazis, racists, mysoginists, climate change deniers are are given tremendous power by Twitter, 8Chan, Apple, etc. Even some of the developers of these programs feel that the unintended consequences caused by the runaway spread and power of social media is dangerous and needs to be controlled.
The poisoning of our societies by social media takes my breath away. (I am not on any social media platforms but it's hard to avoid that content because other news sources publish it).
Apple has become way too powerful. Perhaps Zuckerberg has dreams of being emperor one day.
1
Sickening. Makes me want to throw my apple phone across the room. Sickening. Everything is falling apart. I need to find a phone that is made in the US.
14
Why is it always about the money?
1
My suggestion is to read more from both sides: the west and China on the same event, HK for example. The media of both sides are pretty good telling touching stories. Actually, none of their keywords/ideas should be abandoned, like unity, the people, patriotism, freedom, et al. It is easy for us to judge others abandoned one of them, the reality is we don't understand how hard it is to keep ALL those values. Put yourself in the position, what would you do?
1
Apple used to be a company with vision. It used to teach us to "think different." Gandhi was featured on their ad. Now they no longer innovate; and they no longer think different. Apple will no longer allow an ad that features Gandhi because it would enrage China. Money is more important than vision.
1
Who remembers the Apple Macintosh superbowl ad in 1984 that, arguably, launched the personal computer revolution by smashing a massive totalitarian state apparatus? Now, Apple brings Orwell's 1984 dystopia to market, just a bit late, as with all their product launches.
20
It’s perfectly ok for my grocery store to know that I’m lingering by the lucky charms, but god forbid we turn surveillance tech onto an authoritarian government that could make business difficult for a company that chose to have its products made there (so that workers could be roused from dormitories in the middle of the night to change up production orders). It should not be a surprise that the biggest companies in the world are too desperate for the largest emerging market in history to stand up for freedom and democracy, but I’m old enough to remember Apple’s first commercial and it makes me sad.
6
Now we see what all this surveillance technology is really about and where Apple's interests lie. They can track us, but we must never be allowed to track them, even to defend ourselves.
28
We should definitely voice our support of the HK protest and make Apple know that this kind of app helps protesters protect themselves from illegal police crackdown and random abusive arrests. But the most importantly, what else should we do other than just complaining about corporate greed? Boycott Apple products is one way but it is punishing American companies who is stuck between a rock and a hard place. If anything, lack of revenue from American sale would only push American companies into the arms of Chinese government because they would need to rely eve more on profits from. Perhaps a more effectively way to make our anger and value known to the CCP is to boycott Chinese products. Yes, those are American products too, but American company can and should go elsewhere for their manufacturing. It won't a painless or short transition, but it must be made if we are to wean ourselves off dependency on China and be made beholden to them. At the end of the day, it's not just corporate greed that's giving China its bullying power, it's our thirst for cheap products that is also enabling a totalitarian government. Why should we give our money to buy their products, especially if they are so willing to use their money to bully us?
8
Since Timothy Cook claims that "“You get in the arena, because nothing ever changes from the sideline”, maybe he could explain what exactly he's doing "in the area" to further basic human rights in China.
Besides, that is, paying starvation wages to Chinese workers and violating their rights in outrageous fashion, then claiming he's not responsible.
34
Whatever happened to do the right thing not do the corporate thing? I have become a cynic because money not love or humanity always seems to prevail.
35
This does make staying with apple more difficult. If only the other choice weren’t an Android.
12
@Cat I have an Apple computer at home (lots of investment in software going way back, expense to change now), but I have an Android phone, and can assure you it is more than adequate. I probably have fewer issues than my iPhone-owning peers due to Apple's constant "innovations".
5
2 Million people marched peacefully in Hong Kong. Since that time the Police have exercised authority with impunity and no independent oversight. Their actions show that they feel empowered to abuse citizens. Why would reasonable people not want to know where police were located?
Does anyone remember Apple's ads standing against Big Brother?
For Apple to kowtow, and remove apps like Quartz and HKMap.live, is profoundly disappointing. Is less information better for citizens? Apple is making a choice to side with authoritarianism for the sake of their business model.
I expected more from Apple.
81
Google may not protect your privacy as well as Apple, and might not be quite as easy to use, but at least I don't have to compromise my morals when using it. At least for now.
13
@J lawrence
Perhaps you haven't heard about Google developing Search for China that has built in censorship and oppression.
Or that Google has removed 'Do no evil' from is posted core beliefs.
The business models of all big tech companies are built on Surveillance, Invading your Privacy and selling your data.
There are no Big Tech good guys.
To hear the Chinese government speak of "anyone with a conscience and a sense of justice" is at best laughable. Here's a nation which masked its response to the Tiananmen Square protests by declaring the entire episode was a fabrication of Western media. In a time when it appears the entire world is becoming morally bankrupt, wittingly or unwittingly, we shouldn't be surprised by anything coming out of Beijing, the mouths of corporate "leaders" or by the deafening silence from the White House.
56
Ironic (or is it?) that the very company that refused to assist U.S. law enforcement by providing a means to unlock iPhones -- pursuant to court orders issued on probable cause -- is now in bed with the authoritarian police forces of China. Yet another reason why I refuse to buy Apple products.
102
The comparison isn’t quite apt. Providing a backdoor for U.S. law enforcement would have endangered anyone using an iPhone. And if they did create the backdoor, do you think the Chinese government wouldn’t pressure Apple to give them access too?
This is still reprehensible, though. Apple should be ashamed of themselves.
4
@janeqpublicma
Shows Tim Cook is a fraud and hypocrite.
7
Apple has too much power in it's walled garden. Time to leave that controlled space.
34
Profit above everything.
Always.
We all know where this ends.
Hopefully humans 2.0 will be a better version than what we’ve become.
I weep, but I’m never surprised.
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