U.S. Lawmakers Call Apple's Move to Remove HKMap Live App 'Deeply Concerning'

[SBlue1]

It’s just Apple following the local laws even if it’s against their values if they want to do business there.

I don’t get Americans, as long as someone else does it it’s wrong. As long as you do it it’s ok. Just remember when one US agency started to collect airlines check in information like who has selected halal meals on a plane entering the US and things like that. The European airline said its against European data protection laws to pass those information to other agencies. The US said it’s our law so if you want to do business here do what we want. So the airlines did. It’s the local law even if it’s wrong in my eyes.

 

[calzon65]

I don't know that anyone is disagreeing with that. I think the problem is Apple's hypocrisy, there are other situations that have been just as damaging to citizens and/or governments, and Apple hasn't stepped in. But when it happens to a country that controls what products their people buy/use/sell, all of the sudden they take an interest and intervene... and they take the side that works best for them long term. They simply can't slight the Chinese government. Tim is probably over there kissing the ring once a month.

Agreed … it’s the incessant hypocrisy we hear from so many sanctimonious companies that lecture everyone else about civil rights. God forbid their profits are hurt, because when that happens they immediately cave in. Yes, they have an obligation to shareholders to make money, but cut out the BS hypocrisy. Corporate social activism is out of control.

Look at the NBA with all their self-righteous multi-millionaire players, who trash and accuse the U.S. of being some kind of concentration camp state, but the minute China says keep your mouth shut, they all fall into line like good little Nazis.

 

[SnarkyBear]

Easy for politicians to demand corporations make changes...what has Congress done for the protestors in Hong Kong? Besides pubically write letters??

 

[Moonlight]

It's all about the Yenjamins

 

[Khedron]

lol what?! Apple doesn’t “force” you to use iMessage. You are more then welcome to use third party messaging apps that are available, and you argument is nonsensical to say the least. Swords are used to kill people therefore we should ban all knives. Phones are used to make illegal transactions, lets ban all phones. Lol

But Apple's argument is that this map should be banned because the Chinese government says people can use the map to know where places are and then go to those places and commit crimes in those places

 

[rp2011]

Yeah it’s easy to be tough sitting in an armchair when you don’t have a company and stockholders to answer to.
All their products are made there, it’s a big market. Cutting your nose to spite your face instead of thinking it through is never the best option.

 

[gnipgnop]

Agreed … it’s the incessant hypocrisy we hear from so many sanctimonious companies that lecture everyone else about civil rights.

Look at the NBA with all their self-righteous multi-millionaire players...

Do you think the protestors in Hong Kong also protest about poor educational opportunities for minorities in Ohio? If not, does that make them hypocrites? The idea that supporting civil rights or human rights or social justice requires you to become a public spokesperson for every issue that comes up worldwide is ridiculous.

 

[wolfshades]

I’d hate to be Tim Cook right now - caught between a rock and hard place. There is simply no question his actions are hypocritical. So he had a decision to make: uphold his standards and leave the app in the store, face China’s wrath and the subsequent outlawing of all things Apple (including closing any of their partner factories), or maintain business with all of the world, and jerk like a puppet on a string when one of the largest markets says they’re offended.

Touch choice. I’m not certain I would have done anything differently. But I’m not him so I get to go to sleep tonight, safe and secure from the armchair choice I didn’t have to make.

 

[Dave-Z]

History details many people with much less power, resources, and influence than Apple affecting change.

Tim should decide whether he wants to champion human rights issues or not.
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The idea that supporting civil rights or human rights or social justice requires you to become a public spokesperson for every issue that comes up worldwide is ridiculous.

Of course it doesn't. But if you're a prominent figure whose platform is human rights and then, on a separate issue, you have an opportunity to uphold said principles and don't, that really speaks volumes.

 

[Naraxus]

Tinkerbell Timmy ain't going to do jack **** about it. His Hong Kong masters have spoken and virtue signaling adds another notch from a former computer company turned SJW.....

 

[ilikewhey]

Oh no not the shopping mall. Please let's suspend all human rights until these terrorists have been dealt with.

any other gov't would've shot or lock up protestors for far less reasons. there are number of outbreaks where protestors even beating up folks on the streets who doesn't agree with their political agenda. not to mention protestors hurling petrol bombs at police vehicles and officers. i supported their ideology til their hooliganism turned extreme.

 

[baryon]

Very glad to see that this isn't just a case that will get forgotten and ignored. This is a big deal and a huge problem, and Apple needs to decide which side they're on: ethics, or money. Their Chinese butt-licking is worrying and they still have a chance to reverse course on this. China is growing very powerful and their influence beyond their own borders is scary. If companies like Apple do what China says, then even "free" countries will become repressed, censured and controlled by China through them.

Soon Apple news will only say positive things about China, and Winnie the Pooh games will be banned in the App Store.

Apple, please do the right thing. HK protestors are calling out to the US, and this is exactly what they mean. Either stand up for democracy and people's rights, or be the facilitator of oppression, censorship, dictatorship, communism, and genocide.

Do you want to know what real courage is? Stand up for what's right, even if it means you may lose some money. That's courage. Not a ****ing headphone jack.

 

[supertomtom]

Let’s not forget them caving to China removing the Taiwanese flag emoji in HK and Macau following iOS 13.1.1 update.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/7/20903613/apple-hiding-taiwan-flag-emoji-hong-kong-macau-china

https://www.engadget.com/2019/10/09/apple-removes-taiwan-flag-emoji-from-ios-in-hong-kong/

 

[Saipher]

But Apple's argument is that this map should be banned because the Chinese government says people can use the map to know where places are and then go to those places and commit crimes in those places

Which is true. If the sole purpose of the app is to circumvent the law (HK police), how can Apple approve such app in the App Store? People might not agree with the law in question in this case (Chinese influence over HK) but it is still the local law. The people of HK could use Waze, which also shows the location of police, but that’s not the sole purpose of the app and therefore it’s not banned in HK.

 

[macjonny1]

Yeah it’s easy to be tough sitting in an armchair when you don’t have a company and stockholders to answer to.
All their products are made there, it’s a big market. Cutting your nose to spite your face instead of thinking it through is never the best option.

It's about calling out people that don't stand for what is right, even when it is hard. Maybe have some principles?

 

[sofila]

Politicians need to stay out of this. Apple makes its own free market decisions, and Republicans are supposed to be on our side.

"Our" side?

 

[twocents]

Huh didn't think I would see AOC and Ted Cruz partnered up. Thanks Tim for bringing together such diametrically opposed politicians to officially call out your hypocrisy!

 

[btrach144]

Tim will do any trick for money.

Claims to support equal right but he’s only serious if there’s money involved.

The US needs to create sanctions against Apple, the NBA, and others for turning into a puppet for Poo Bear.

 

[gnipgnop]

I’d hate to be Tim Cook right now - caught between a rock and hard place. There is simply no question his actions are hypocritical.

There are plenty of questions about whether or not it's "hypocritical". Tim Cook does talk about Apple's values, but it's a leap to think Apple has the same opportunity to try to lead with those values in China. It's an authoritarian country. Everybody knew that 30 years ago when they crushed what was happening in Tiananmen Square.

 

[Jakewilk]

iMessage has been used by criminals to plan and coordinate with each other to commit horrible crimes. If Apple allows (forces) iMessage to remain on our phones after it has been used for such horrifying actions, they must allow HKMap Live to remain as well...

iMessage doesn’t make crimes possible, this map app does

 

[gnipgnop]

It's about calling out people that don't stand for what is right, even when it is hard. Maybe have some principles?

The problem with that statement is that China has ruthlessly cracked down on dissent for decades. It's not anything new. If not doing business in China was what the U.S. considered "right", then it would have been banned decades ago. In reality, the U.S. started doing business in China because it saw the opportunity for $$ and also to potentially influence Chinese society for the better. At least that was the operating idea. That genie is already out of the bottle at any rate.

 

[killawat]

Why is us gov hassling Apple for wanting to bow out of this particular fight? What other business is compelled to offer these types of capabilities in foreign areas where they are not welcome?

Stop the clout chasing. If the senate is so very moved by this issue then there are other levers to use against China if they really wanted to help the protestors. Will they use them? Nope.

 

[ani4ani]

Yeah it’s easy to be tough sitting in an armchair when you don’t have a company and stockholders to answer to.
All their products are made there, it’s a big market. Cutting your nose to spite your face instead of thinking it through is never the best option.

no one disagrees with this, yes it’s hard, probably impossible. The only issue for most on here is that Apple should cut out the sanctimonious and pious claims about what they stand for, when they clearly don’t / can’t

 

[GadgetBen]

Quite simply, if an app is being used to target a build-up of people for violent / targeting reasons, then I firmly agree with Apple’s decision to remove such an abhorrent app.

How stupid are these lawyers and politicians to go against this?

 

[nvmls]

Tim is no less hypocrite than all of us questioning him while buying Apple products. This is the world today.