Apple has 'moral obligation' to promote free expression in China, U.S. Senator says
Commenting on Apple CEO Tim Cook's recent appearance at the World Internet Conference in China, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said the tech giant has a "moral obligation" to push back against the Asian nation's surveillance and censorship policies.
Speaking to CNBC, Leahy said Apple and other tech companies that promote free expression in the U.S. should do the same in countries like China, which have decidedly conservative views on free speech.
"American tech companies have become leading champions of free expression. But that commitment should not end at our borders," Leahy said. "Global leaders in innovation, like Apple, have both an opportunity and a moral obligation to promote free expression and other basic human rights in countries that routinely deny these rights."
In October, Leahy and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) penned a letter to Cook asking for clarification on Apple's decision to remove certain VPN apps from the iOS App Store in China. The lawmakers were concerned that Apple was complicit in assisting China's censorship apparatus.
In a response from Cynthia Hogan (PDF download), Apple VP for Public Policy, the company reiterated its stance that the VPN app takedown was in adherence with Chinese regulations. Indeed, Cook himself addressed the issue in August, saying Apple "would obviously rather not remove the apps, but like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business."
Apple's letter to Leahy and Cruz also answered a series of questions relating to Apple's dealings in China, particularly as they apply to policymaking bodies. The senators specifically asked Cook to provide statements Apple issued promoting free speech in China or condemning the Chinese government's censorship and surveillance laws.
In regard to both privacy rights and freedom of expression, two tenets Apple promotes as a corporation, the company believes its presence throughout the world is the "most effective way we can make a difference," according to Hogan.
"We believe our actions are our most powerful statement," the letter reads.
The senators in their letter to Cook also addressed the World Internet Conference, asking whether Apple supports the gathering denounced by free speech activists. Apple said it does not sponsor the event, but notes employees including Cook have and will continue to participate in the event. Mirroring the answer above, Apple said engagement is the "surest way" to effect change.
Cook spoke at the conference this week, addressing a range of topics including App Store revenues and artificial intelligence.
"Apple is clearly a force for good in China, but I also believe it and other tech companies must continue to push back on Chinese suppression of free expression," Leahy said.
Speaking to CNBC, Leahy said Apple and other tech companies that promote free expression in the U.S. should do the same in countries like China, which have decidedly conservative views on free speech.
"American tech companies have become leading champions of free expression. But that commitment should not end at our borders," Leahy said. "Global leaders in innovation, like Apple, have both an opportunity and a moral obligation to promote free expression and other basic human rights in countries that routinely deny these rights."
In October, Leahy and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) penned a letter to Cook asking for clarification on Apple's decision to remove certain VPN apps from the iOS App Store in China. The lawmakers were concerned that Apple was complicit in assisting China's censorship apparatus.
In a response from Cynthia Hogan (PDF download), Apple VP for Public Policy, the company reiterated its stance that the VPN app takedown was in adherence with Chinese regulations. Indeed, Cook himself addressed the issue in August, saying Apple "would obviously rather not remove the apps, but like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business."
Apple's letter to Leahy and Cruz also answered a series of questions relating to Apple's dealings in China, particularly as they apply to policymaking bodies. The senators specifically asked Cook to provide statements Apple issued promoting free speech in China or condemning the Chinese government's censorship and surveillance laws.
In regard to both privacy rights and freedom of expression, two tenets Apple promotes as a corporation, the company believes its presence throughout the world is the "most effective way we can make a difference," according to Hogan.
"We believe our actions are our most powerful statement," the letter reads.
The senators in their letter to Cook also addressed the World Internet Conference, asking whether Apple supports the gathering denounced by free speech activists. Apple said it does not sponsor the event, but notes employees including Cook have and will continue to participate in the event. Mirroring the answer above, Apple said engagement is the "surest way" to effect change.
Cook spoke at the conference this week, addressing a range of topics including App Store revenues and artificial intelligence.
"Apple is clearly a force for good in China, but I also believe it and other tech companies must continue to push back on Chinese suppression of free expression," Leahy said.
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
A strong and growing middle-class is going to do more to that end than a couple of senators from America bloviating about moral obligations and what Apple should or should not do!
Best.
it’s like parents blaming the teacher that he didn’t tought the kid how to blow up its nose...
or does he tell with this - don’t respect the laws and do what you please?
I just don't quite know how to react to that.
That depends... there are many forces at play to keep down the middle class from forming in other countries. Imagine, for example, what a huge USA economics collapse in the next decade would do to China. Or, imagine if the USA succeeds in blocking China's trade expansion to Europe and other non-USA locations. Or, imagine if the AGW hoopla gets loud and strong enough to keep the 3rd world in their place.
Well, and even fund organizations trying to shut-down free-speech in the USA.
Do what ever it takes to make a buck, so you can make a buck? Nice.
While at the same time taking 'moral' stands in the USA. I think we get this... we're just pointing out the hypocrisy.
I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to. While I have my dislike of Trump for many reasons, I hope he does a heck of a lot more neutering of the State Dept! You know all those Syrian refugees? US State Dept work there. The other 6 countries we've destabilized or are going to in the ME? Yep, those folks (and Congress people). Millions of lives destroyed... thanks, USA. At least Trump ordered the CIA units home who were propping up the terrorists.
So, then why aren't they in North Korea? Or, I wonder if they'd help Saudi Arabia with their 'toss the LGBT person off the roof' app? I'm not sure 'logical' would be my term of choice...
Next, Apple is a US corporate citizen and has much more influence here, in a democracy, than abroad in totalitarian China.
And please, do tell us how Cook is funding organizations trying to shut down free speech. This ought to be good...
What’s next - a US president who protects the nation against the interests of financial institutions?
Cook donated millions to SPLC. SPLC has put a bunch of wrong-think organizations and individuals on their 'hate group' list, not only attempting to censor them, but impacting their livelihoods and even endangering their lives. (Essentially, Cook is funding a USA-based terrorist organization and hate-group.)
If you listen closely to speeches... you'll catch that most politicians don't even know their sworn oath is to defend the Constitution... they think it is to protect the country. (Which boils down to... if we gotta break the Constitution to protect the country, so be it...