There is no disconnect. Tim Cook did not say Apple enables people’s right to free speech in contradiction to the laws of the countries in which those people live.
On another point, if Apple never had those VPN apps in its Chinese App Store, would the senators be suggesting Apple should upload some, in contradiction to the laws of China?
Of course Apple shouldn't intentionally contravene Chinese laws, but I think you and a few others here are confused about this in the first place. VPN apps in China are not illegal AFAICT. The Chinese government also denies ordering any companies to block them, and that includes even state-owned telecoms. That does not mean that China did not strongly suggest it.
So while Mr. Cook properly says Apple follows the law in countries where they operate he did not say (AFAIK) that the VPN apps were removed as mandated by Chinese law. I think you and the others are simply making that connection because of the way Mr. Cook stated it. And while there is a temporary regulation (expires within a few months) that requires VPN apps be licensed Mr Cook did not go so far as to say all the VPN apps that were removed were strictly for that reason.
Tim Cook and Apple apologists are out in full force. Tim loves to preach to US citizens yet does business with some of the worst countries in the world.
Seriously? Piss off. You have no clue what you are talking about. I have been traveling to China for 18 years and they are most certainly NOT one of the worst countries in the world. Before you start making such ignorant statements, go get yourself a good education.
As to Apple removing VPN apps, at least until the app developers get the proper license, this is actually a total non-issue as even high school students I’ve met there no how to get around the censorship and blocked apps to access things like Facebook and Twitter. That’s why Ted Cruz even asking the question shows what a f’n moron he is.
Every time Apple opens it mouth to virtue signal in the West, just remember it turns a blind eye to all the happens in Middle East and China for money. It is certainly hypocritical, the end result of the virtue signaling is simply about money, that’s all. It is just annoying when they pretend to be virtuous here, but outside the English Speaking world they play a different game. But whatever.
Go get yourself a good education as you have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. People in all these places know how to get around their country’s censorship efforts. They don’t need Apple’s help.
Maybe China should pen letters to gun manufacturers and ask them what they’re planning to do about the staggering number of firearms-related deaths in the US.
Or maybe China has enough sense to check its own back yard before opening its big fat publicity-seeking mouth.
No, China does not have enough sense.
----------------------- In China, the Xinhua news agency said the
violence in South Carolina "mirrors the US government's inaction on
rampant gun violence as well as growing racial hatred in the country.
"Unless US President Barack Obama's government
really reflects on his country's deep-rooted issues like racial
discrimination and social inequality and takes concrete actions on gun
control, such tragedy will hardly be prevented from happening again."
On China's Twitter-like Weibo microblogging
service, some users compared the US to lawless Somalia and said racial
discrimination was fuelling violence and high crime rates. Many
reflected the official view that gun ownership and violent crime were
byproducts of Western-style democratic freedoms that were not only
unsuited to China, but potentially disastrous. --------------------------
1) Apple following the rules of another country has bearing on US law.
2) Apple "censors" all the time, even in the US, which is why you won't find porn apps and other potentially offensive material on App Store as Apple sees fit or dictated by US law.
3) We have a POTUS that is threatening to pull broadcast licenses from news organizations that aren't constantly licking his asshole and they have an issue with China having laws that require VPN apps to be licensed by the state? Pathetic.
So basically these US senators are asking the CEO of a US company to arbitrate, evaluate, and execute US Foreign Policy for them. Isn't this something that THEY should be doing in support of policies intended to help US companies like Apple remain competitive in international markets while remaining compliant with US laws, policies, and intentions? Tim Cook has a for-profit company to run and these US senators have their job to do. Tim Cook is obviously doing his job, very well I might add, but these US senators aren't doing jack and trying to get Tim Cook to pick up their slack and cover for their ineptitude should be an embarrassing and humiliating indictment on their job performance. They must have absolutely no sense of personal responsibility, pride, or work ethic. Good job Tim, senators - suck it up and get back to work.
This is China's way of securing national security. Can the senators understand? Philosophically, when the western civilization become ruled by artificial intelligence China may still be ruled by human beings.
While the question can and should be raised, the fact that it comes from Ted Cruz is just discrediting the whole process
i am not sure why Apple needs to explain its action in China which follows the law there and affects only Chinese consumers need to explain to US senators. It's a simple business decision and the Senators should not waste tax payers month focusing issues it has no jurisdiction whatsoever and instead should focus on how to rein in Trump. Maybe we should send a letter to these senators to ask them to explain how they handle Trump and why they allow Trump to run aloof.
1) Apple following the rules of another country has bearing on US law.
2) Apple "censors" all the time, even in the US, which is why you won't find porn apps and other potentially offensive material on App Store as Apple sees fit or dictated by US law.
3) We have a POTUS that is threatening to pull broadcast licenses from news organizations that aren't constantly licking his asshole and they have an issue with China having laws that require VPN apps to be licensed by the state? Pathetic.
Yes, the President wants to ban a news media for 'faking news'. Do you know what these two senators say about it?
1) Apple following the rules of another country has bearing on US law.
2) Apple "censors" all the time, even in the US, which is why you won't find porn apps and other potentially offensive material on App Store as Apple sees fit or dictated by US law.
3) We have a POTUS that is threatening to pull broadcast licenses from news organizations that aren't constantly licking his asshole and they have an issue with China having laws that require VPN apps to be licensed by the state? Pathetic.
Yes, the President wants to ban a news media for 'faking news'. Do you know what these two senators say about it?
I'd just like to thank the admins for allowing this thread to stand (so far, fingers crossed). Offensensitivity has become too heavily entrenched and fortified.
I know that potentially a majority of Senators are a bit dim-whitted, particularly when it comes to international law, but how can they possibly think that an American company can go up against a foreign government and come out on top! Add to this the fact that we have a brain-impaired, nationalist administration, and it only makes this all the more pathetic!
I know that potentially a majority of Senators are a bit dim-whitted, particularly when it comes to international law, but how can they possibly think that an American company can go up against a foreign government and come out on top!
Tim Cook and Apple apologists are out in full force. Tim loves to preach to US citizens yet does business with some of the worst countries in the world.
What on earth are you talking about? You’re on an apple site, of course people are going to express positions supporting apple. Troll much?
Every time Apple opens it mouth to virtue signal in the West, just remember it turns a blind eye to all the happens in Middle East and China for money. It is certainly hypocritical, the end result of the virtue signaling is simply about money, that’s all. It is just annoying when they pretend to be virtuous here, but outside the English Speaking world they play a different game. But whatever.
Nope. As a corporate citizen based in the US, a free nation where we citizens can freely influence policy, of course Apple has and expresses a say. But they have no say in the kingdoms and totalitarian states abroad. Dur.
1) Apple following the rules of another country has bearing on US law.
2) Apple "censors" all the time, even in the US, which is why you won't find porn apps and other potentially offensive material on App Store as Apple sees fit or dictated by US law.
3) We have a POTUS that is threatening to pull broadcast licenses from news organizations that aren't constantly licking his asshole and they have an issue with China having laws that require VPN apps to be licensed by the state? Pathetic.
Yes, the President wants to ban a news media for 'faking news'. Do you know what these two senators say about it?
If boldface lies are an issue then, well…
To be fair, many news sites such as CNN and NBC have been busted dozens of times this year and had to retract their stories. With all this nonsense going around, I rarely look at the mainstream media these days. Can't believe half the crap they spew. These days I just stick to science news. Much more interesting anyways.
1) Apple following the rules of another country has bearing on US law.
2) Apple "censors" all the time, even in the US, which is why you won't find porn apps and other potentially offensive material on App Store as Apple sees fit or dictated by US law.
3) We have a POTUS that is threatening to pull broadcast licenses from news organizations that aren't constantly licking his asshole and they have an issue with China having laws that require VPN apps to be licensed by the state? Pathetic.
Yes, the President wants to ban a news media for 'faking news'. Do you know what these two senators say about it?
If boldface lies are an issue then, well…
To be fair, many news sites such as CNN and NBC have been busted dozens of times this year and had to retract their stories. With all this nonsense going around, I rarely look at the mainstream media these days. Can't believe half the crap they spew. These days I just stick to science news. Much more interesting anyways.
1) ews organizations always issue retractions for sources that turn out to be false, but to claim that this a conspiracy that that licenses should be revoked when they are unfavorable to the POTUS is not American.
2) Funny that you mention that NBC and CNN, but leave out Brietbart, InfoWars, and many others whose business models is to lie. I don't even include FOX News in that list, despite that recent retraction they just made which could've been easily vetted.
Comments
Nuance is the word of the day:
https://www.travelchinacheaper.com/is-it-legal-to-use-a-vpn-in-china
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-11/how-china-s-vpn-ban-asserts-digital-sovereignty-quicktake-q-a
And has anyone of you read about Xi Jinping's 3 hour speech the other day? Bone chilling.
As to Apple removing VPN apps, at least until the app developers get the proper license, this is actually a total non-issue as even high school students I’ve met there no how to get around the censorship and blocked apps to access things like Facebook and Twitter. That’s why Ted Cruz even asking the question shows what a f’n moron he is.
-----------------------
In China, the Xinhua news agency said the violence in South Carolina "mirrors the US government's inaction on rampant gun violence as well as growing racial hatred in the country.
"Unless US President Barack Obama's government really reflects on his country's deep-rooted issues like racial discrimination and social inequality and takes concrete actions on gun control, such tragedy will hardly be prevented from happening again."
On China's Twitter-like Weibo microblogging service, some users compared the US to lawless Somalia and said racial discrimination was fuelling violence and high crime rates. Many reflected the official view that gun ownership and violent crime were byproducts of Western-style democratic freedoms that were not only unsuited to China, but potentially disastrous.
http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1824413/china-quick-join-criticism-us-racism-and-gun-violence-after-charleston--------------------------
2) Apple "censors" all the time, even in the US, which is why you won't find porn apps and other potentially offensive material on App Store as Apple sees fit or dictated by US law.
3) We have a POTUS that is threatening to pull broadcast licenses from news organizations that aren't constantly licking his asshole and they have an issue with China having laws that require VPN apps to be licensed by the state? Pathetic.
Philosophically, when the western civilization become ruled by artificial intelligence China may still be ruled by human beings.
Offensensitivity has become too heavily entrenched and fortified.
EU taxes....
Nope. As a corporate citizen based in the US, a free nation where we citizens can freely influence policy, of course Apple has and expresses a say. But they have no say in the kingdoms and totalitarian states abroad. Dur.
Of course, there is quite a bit of spin on that headline.
2) Funny that you mention that NBC and CNN, but leave out Brietbart, InfoWars, and many others whose business models is to lie. I don't even include FOX News in that list, despite that recent retraction they just made which could've been easily vetted.