In today’s news, Apple is giving you another reason not to use their products by showing how little they care about your freedom, privacy, and security. Read more:
I’m honestly surprised they didn’t just stop maintaining the russian app store, given they no longer sell hardware there. this is just cringe of them
2 Likes
It’s pretty comical, lmao.
As long as they operate in a country, they have to follow the laws and obey the authorities of that country.
That’s why I think it’s important to use devices where you are in control of the software it runs.
1 Like
And iPhones are the opposite of that.
4 Likes
Not the first time they have done it, and for sure will not be the last time.
1 Like
Yes, and everyone will forget this in a few days and keep using their products until this type of crap starts affecting them, if they aren’t already affected.
2 Likes
Reminds me of what happened in Hong Kong. Imo probably the most important reason why Android beats iOS for anyone who needs privacy and security. You can never rely too much on an iOS-based setup for this because that necessarily means trusting Apple not to do something like this, which their track record shows you can’t. Google could remove an app from the Play Store, but you could always get them from somewhere else, if necessary, even share .apk files person to person. This would no doubt be problematic, but at least you have a fair number of options. With iOS, you’re just fucked.
This could in theory all change depending on the effects of recent EU legislature, but in practice I don’t see Apple implementing anything even approaching an acceptable solution any time soon, maybe ever. And even then, this would need to apply worldwide, not just in the EU.
5 Likes
They don’t operate in the country, at least not officially. Because the App Store revenues are probably not 0…
Did Google also removed VPNs from the Play Store ?
What gets me the most about this is that Apple could easily play both sides here by allowing sideloading. Them being forced to delist apps like this is likely unavoidable, but it’s only a major problem because the App Store is the only real way to install software.
4 Likes
Doesn’t surprise me at all. Thehatedone has many videos about Apple and China
1 Like
Although reversed lets not forget that mozilla did the same shit Mozilla Firefox blocks anti-Censorship and pro-Privacy extensions in Russia
My recollection, is from the time Mozilla announced they were temporarily restricting access to those 5 apps while they considered their options, to making the decision to ignore Russia was ~24hrs. That doesn’t seem unreasonable.
If the Apple situation is comparable, it seems very close to a non-issue. If the Apple situation is not comparable, I don’t think its useful to call it “the same shit”
1 Like
They didn’t.
They removed those extensions for some time while they were looking for “more options” and then they added those extensions back.
Excluding that fact, Firefox is not closed source. You can install extensions from other places.
3 Likes
Unfortunately, if Russia wants you to do something, you do it. Otherwise, their lives will be in real danger, and they are too cowardly to take any chances, despite their wealth, security and power.
From The Register
Google has apparently received similar requests, Russian internet freedom NGO Roskomsvoboda (not to be confused with Roskomnadzor) told The Register.
“We also know that Google has received similar requests from the Russian regulatory agency and has even notified some proxy services that they might face removal,” Roskomsvoboda claims. “However, it has not taken any action so far.”
Tim cooked
This mindless [insert name of large company here] hating is pretty sad IMHO.
When you are running a huge international company you are bound by the local laws. Sure, it’s easy to say “why not just leave the country then?” but it’s not easy if you want to continue being a large successfull multinational company and have to keep your shareholders happy.
1 Like
Same goes for defending, hatred for such companies and their actions is usually justified, but defending them is just sad.
Apple could just allow proper sideloading like on Android instead of clowning on DMA and iOS users. But they show absolutely zero interest in doing so and will do anything it takes to not do it.
They could also allow flashing alternative operating systems like Google Pixel devices do. The possibilities are endless, but they just don’t care.
2 Likes