Apple begins crackdown on leakers from China

AppleInsider · June 24, 2021 1:33PM

Known leakers Kang and Duan Rui both say that Apple has sent letters demanding that they stop revealing details of future products, and warning of legal action in China if they don't.

Apple begins crackdown on leakers in China

According to social media posts, Apple's letters demand that the leakers can't disclose information about unreleased products since this may mislead potential customers, and give competitors an advantage. Apple has also reportedly demanded that leakers must refrain from posting any images and cannot refer to posts as dreams or riddles since these are still seen as leaks.

Apple sent a lawyer's letter to the leaker in China.
-- DuanRui (@duanrui1205)
June 24, 2021

According to a Weibo post from Kang, the letter from Apple warns that leaks will not be tolerated in any form. Kang himself was presented with screenshots of his Weibo account posts showing release dates and purchase suggestions as evidence.

Kang says, as a result, he "won't post riddles and dreams in the future." He warns other bloggers that Apple will be auditing posts and anything that is posted about unreleased products could be seen as "infringement and abuse of commercial information."

No one has posted a copy of the letter, and what was learned of the letter came from a translated social media post. It is likely that the letter is a cease and desist order from Apple sent to all known leakers in China.

Kang, Duan Rui, L0vetodream, and others from China have proven to be reliable sources for leaks, however if their sources have been compromised then leaks from these characters may slow or stop altogether. There will always be more leakers, but Apple seems to be trying everything in its power to stop information from getting out.

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KTR · June 24, 2021 1:38PM

Maybe apple should stop making there stuff there

Craig_Mack · June 24, 2021 1:50PM

Apple should stop making stuff there for other reasons.

avonord · June 24, 2021 4:06PM

Maybe you should stop buying things from Apple and all others who manufacturers in China.

Oh wait, you won’t.

I’m not arguing that Apple shouldn’t move out of China. But I just want to point out the obvious hypocrisy.

clexman · June 24, 2021 5:22PM

avonord said:

Maybe you should stop buying things from Apple and all others who manufacturers in China.

Oh wait, you won’t.

I’m not arguing that Apple shouldn’t move out of China. But I just want to point out the obvious hypocrisy.

I don’t see the hypocrisy. If I want an iPhone, I have to buy one made in China. If Apple needs to make iPhones, they don’t have to do it in China.

Apple can get what they need elsewhere, but we can’t. I don’t make phones myself, so I’m limited by the decisions that companies like Apple make.

waveparticle · June 24, 2021 6:01PM

The truth of the facts is China makes AAPL market cap worth well over two trillion dollars.

lkrupp · June 24, 2021 6:08PM

avonord said:

Maybe you should stop buying things from Apple and all others who manufacturers in China.

Oh wait, you won’t.

I’m not arguing that Apple shouldn’t move out of China. But I just want to point out the obvious hypocrisy.

Yep, tiring mantra of “bring manufacturing back” is the epitome of hypocrisy by those who will look at two shirts, one from Asia, the other made in the U.S.A. by union garment makers, and select the Asian made shirt because it’s half the price of the union made shirt. Same goes for automobiles, steel , pharmaceuticals, electronics, etc. And these same hypocrites are also the ‘activists’ demanding a $15/hr minimum wage but continue to buy products made by workers who earn a tenth of that.

waveparticle · June 24, 2021 7:10PM

The truth of the facts is in the last forty years America did not lose jobs to China. It is high tech. High tech needs well educated and/or trained workers. The low paying manufacturing jobs held by China cannot survive in US.

22july2013 · June 24, 2021 8:02PM

Since there's no freedom of speech in China, I guess it's okay for Apple to suppress speech in China too. Apple doesn't have to adhere to high moral standards in other countries. It's not really a double standard; it's a different local standard in each country. Tim Cook and Xi Jinping can continue to cooperate to suppress speech or commit genocide in China since it's legal there.

waveparticle · June 24, 2021 8:30PM

Is this the high moral standards the western world talking about?
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-is-it-under-attack/2021/05

UN human rights commission voted on the alleged genocide by China on Uiguers. 22 nations voted yes, 66 voted no. The amazing thing is the 22 nations are western nations besides Japan. On the other hand, none of the Arab nations voted for. They all voted no.

And Bill Gates funded for this,
https://www.newsweek.com/math-suffers-white-supremacy-according-bill-gates-funded-course-1571511

iadlib · June 24, 2021 9:37PM

TL:DR this is a potential PR nightmare for all aggressors.

One could say something about “privacy” in this case…. But both that and this new direction will backfire. This line of action is putting Apple in the position of being a “Bully” in perception if not fact for more than a billion people under the thumb of communism. The important distinction here is that Apple isn’t attacking another company (Epic), or a government (take your pick), but an individual with a following. One might even call them an hero/underdog because they’re daring to pierce the veil of secrecy Apple so closely guards.

9secondkox2 · June 25, 2021 3:43AM

waveparticle said:

The truth of the facts is China makes AAPL market cap worth well over two trillion dollars.

In terms of consumer purchase. NOT manufacture.

verne arase · June 25, 2021 4:09AM

avonord said:

Maybe you should stop buying things from Apple and all others who manufacturers in China.

Oh wait, you won’t.

I’m not arguing that Apple shouldn’t move out of China. But I just want to point out the obvious hypocrisy.

Basically, if you stop buying things made in China you're not going to buy anything.

At least a part of just about everything is made in China, even if it's assembled elsewhere.

GeorgeBMac · June 25, 2021 1:08PM

lkrupp said:

avonord said:

Maybe you should stop buying things from Apple and all others who manufacturers in China.

Oh wait, you won’t.

I’m not arguing that Apple shouldn’t move out of China. But I just want to point out the obvious hypocrisy.

Yep, tiring mantra of “bring manufacturing back” is the epitome of hypocrisy by those who will look at two shirts, one from Asia, the other made in the U.S.A. by union garment makers, and select the Asian made shirt because it’s half the price of the union made shirt. Same goes for automobiles, steel , pharmaceuticals, electronics, etc. And these same hypocrites are also the ‘activists’ demanding a $15/hr minimum wage but continue to buy products made by workers who earn a tenth of that.

Very true!

But isn't that what capitalism is all about? Isn't that it's chief claim to fame? That "the best rise to the top while the lesser product falls by the wayside".

And, it's not just about cost; As Apple has said repeatedly: they don't manufacture in China because of low costs, they do it because China provides the best quality, speed and reliability: In short they get the job done when it needs to get done -- regardless of what that job may be. As other have pointed out: If they need a special screw, they can get it quickly in China. In the U.S. they can't get it.

The hypocrisy is palpable: We espouse the glories or Capitalism and denigrate the supposed failures Communism. But, when that communist system succeeds we get all butt hurt and hysterical.

(But, the part of that story that's missing is that China is both -- it uses capitalism where it does best and it uses socialism where it does best. It's a merger of the two -- but neither side will admit that. It doesn't fit their narrative).

GeorgeBMac · June 25, 2021 1:14PM

22july2013 said:

Since there's no freedom of speech in China, I guess it's okay for Apple to suppress speech in China too. Apple doesn't have to adhere to high moral standards in other countries. It's not really a double standard; it's a different local standard in each country. Tim Cook and Xi Jinping can continue to cooperate to suppress speech or commit genocide in China since it's legal there.

As it has been in both the U.S. and Canada -- real genocide -- with unmarked graves -- rather than the politicized smear campaign we hear about China from the haters.

... So much for that moral high ground.

GeorgeBMac · June 25, 2021 1:24PM

lkrupp said:

avonord said:

Maybe you should stop buying things from Apple and all others who manufacturers in China.

Oh wait, you won’t.

I’m not arguing that Apple shouldn’t move out of China. But I just want to point out the obvious hypocrisy.

Yep, tiring mantra of “bring manufacturing back” is the epitome of hypocrisy by those who will look at two shirts, one from Asia, the other made in the U.S.A. by union garment makers, and select the Asian made shirt because it’s half the price of the union made shirt. Same goes for automobiles, steel , pharmaceuticals, electronics, etc. And these same hypocrites are also the ‘activists’ demanding a $15/hr minimum wage but continue to buy products made by workers who earn a tenth of that.

Yes, we really need to come to grips with that: We want high salaries, great benefits, 3 week vacations plus holidays, family leave, etc., etc., etc.,

Then we get upset when the place (wherever it may be) makes better products cheaper using workers who are happily living in dormitories (much like American coal miners of the early 20th century because its better than the alternative).

We are living in the past. This ain't the 1950's & 60's anymore where we had no competition.

That doesn't mean that we can't compete. It simply means we have to compete in those areas where we do it better & cheaper than anybody else. That's how free market capitalism works -- and globally, over the long haul it's ALL free market capitalism -- regardless of the form of government of individual nations.

If China can do it better than the U.S. the reward goes to China

If (say) South Korea can it better than China the reward goes to South Korea.

... Nobody gets a free pass. Not for long.

lkrupp · June 25, 2021 2:59PM

GeorgeBMac said:

lkrupp said:

avonord said:

Maybe you should stop buying things from Apple and all others who manufacturers in China.

Oh wait, you won’t.

I’m not arguing that Apple shouldn’t move out of China. But I just want to point out the obvious hypocrisy.

Yep, tiring mantra of “bring manufacturing back” is the epitome of hypocrisy by those who will look at two shirts, one from Asia, the other made in the U.S.A. by union garment makers, and select the Asian made shirt because it’s half the price of the union made shirt. Same goes for automobiles, steel , pharmaceuticals,  electronics, etc. And these same hypocrites are also the ‘activists’ demanding a $15/hr minimum wage but continue to buy products made by workers who earn a tenth of that.

Yes, we really need to come to grips with that:   We want high salaries, great benefits, 3 week vacations plus holidays, family leave, etc., etc., etc.,

Then we get upset when the place (wherever it may be) makes better products cheaper using workers who are happily living in dormitories (much like American coal miners of the early 20th century because its better than the alternative).

We are living in the past.   This ain't the 1950's & 60's anymore where we had no competition.
That doesn't mean that we can't compete.   It simply means we have to compete in those areas where we do it better & cheaper than anybody else.   That's how free market capitalism works -- and globally, over the long haul it's ALL free market capitalism -- regardless of the form of government of individual nations.

If China can do it better than the U.S. the reward goes to China
If (say) South Korea can it better than China the reward goes to South Korea.
... Nobody gets a free pass. Not for long.

Always fascinated by your reverence for the totalitarian regime in China.

docno42 · June 25, 2021 3:18PM

GeorgeBMac said:
The hypocrisy is palpable: We espouse the glories or Capitalism and denigrate the supposed failures Communism. But, when that communist system succeeds we get all butt hurt and hysterical.
(But, the part of that story that's missing is that China is both -- it uses capitalism where it does best and it uses socialism where it does best. It's a merger of the two -- but neither side will admit that. It doesn't fit their narrative).

China can not sustain the artificial propping up of what has made them sustainable. Their wagering they don't have to - they just have to do it long enough to break the west - and sadly we have far too many who have played along willingly while gaslighting about it the entire time.

It wasn't Orange Man's mean tweets that were so deadly to the elites in this country - it was that he was exposing their connections to their CCP masters. It's why they pulled out every dirty trick to swing the election - and then bragged about it.

Capitalism lifted the majority of the world out of poverty and slavery - more so than any other political system ever conceived. To intimate that Communism or socialism is anywhere near as beneficial or effective is an opinion that can only be held by someone utterly ignorant of history or amoral enough to utterly disregard not only current but past atrocities committed under those systems.

Capitalism isn't perfect - and it's a bullshit argument to make. No system is perfect. But until someone comes up with something better, it's the best we have. History has show communism and socialism sure as hell aren't better alternatives.

Venezuela flopping isn't socialism implemented poorly - Venezuela flopping is happen when you go down the socialist path. It's exactly what success looks like under socialism - the ultimate least common denominator; everyone is drug down into the shit together. There is no rising tide, just a cesspool of stagnation and despair.

docno42 · June 25, 2021 3:23PM

lkrupp said:
Always fascinated by your reverence for the totalitarian regime in China.

It's easy for people like him to proselytize for shit they have never had to experience or live under. And then wonder how Cubans could be so dumb as to vote for Trump en masse.

Probably because they have more than theoretical experience with crap, only from an academic perspective, he is so enamored with.

It's the old joke about breakfast: What's the difference between the chicken and the pig? The chicken is involved but the pig is committed. Lot's of chickens running around espousing BS

I'll take the word of the pigs over the likes of him any day.

waveparticle · June 25, 2021 4:10PM

docno42 said:

GeorgeBMac said:
The hypocrisy is palpable: We espouse the glories or Capitalism and denigrate the supposed failures Communism. But, when that communist system succeeds we get all butt hurt and hysterical.
(But, the part of that story that's missing is that China is both -- it uses capitalism where it does best and it uses socialism where it does best. It's a merger of the two -- but neither side will admit that. It doesn't fit their narrative).

China can not sustain the artificial propping up of what has made them sustainable. Their wagering they don't have to - they just have to do it long enough to break the west - and sadly we have far too many who have played along willingly while gaslighting about it the entire time.

It wasn't Orange Man's mean tweets that were so deadly to the elites in this country - it was that he was exposing their connections to their CCP masters. It's why they pulled out every dirty trick to swing the election - and then bragged about it.

Capitalism lifted the majority of the world out of poverty and slavery - more so than any other political system ever conceived. To intimate that Communism or socialism is anywhere near as beneficial or effective is an opinion that can only be held by someone utterly ignorant of history or amoral enough to utterly disregard not only current but past atrocities committed under those systems.

Capitalism isn't perfect - and it's a bullshit argument to make. No system is perfect. But until someone comes up with something better, it's the best we have. History has show communism and socialism sure as hell aren't better alternatives.

Venezuela flopping isn't socialism implemented poorly - Venezuela flopping is happen when you go down the socialist path. It's exactly what success looks like under socialism - the ultimate least common denominator; everyone is drug down into the shit together. There is no rising tide, just a cesspool of stagnation and despair.

What about industrialization and high tech? Communism lost to capitalism because it uses politics on economics. Deng tried to separate them with black cat white cat theory. And it worked!

GeorgeBMac · June 25, 2021 4:33PM

lkrupp said:

GeorgeBMac said:

lkrupp said:

avonord said:

Maybe you should stop buying things from Apple and all others who manufacturers in China.

Oh wait, you won’t.

I’m not arguing that Apple shouldn’t move out of China. But I just want to point out the obvious hypocrisy.

Yep, tiring mantra of “bring manufacturing back” is the epitome of hypocrisy by those who will look at two shirts, one from Asia, the other made in the U.S.A. by union garment makers, and select the Asian made shirt because it’s half the price of the union made shirt. Same goes for automobiles, steel , pharmaceuticals,  electronics, etc. And these same hypocrites are also the ‘activists’ demanding a $15/hr minimum wage but continue to buy products made by workers who earn a tenth of that.

Yes, we really need to come to grips with that:   We want high salaries, great benefits, 3 week vacations plus holidays, family leave, etc., etc., etc.,

Then we get upset when the place (wherever it may be) makes better products cheaper using workers who are happily living in dormitories (much like American coal miners of the early 20th century because its better than the alternative).

We are living in the past.   This ain't the 1950's & 60's anymore where we had no competition.
That doesn't mean that we can't compete.   It simply means we have to compete in those areas where we do it better & cheaper than anybody else.   That's how free market capitalism works -- and globally, over the long haul it's ALL free market capitalism -- regardless of the form of government of individual nations.

If China can do it better than the U.S. the reward goes to China
If (say) South Korea can it better than China the reward goes to South Korea.
... Nobody gets a free pass. Not for long.

Always fascinated by your reverence for the totalitarian regime in China.

Reverence? LOL... No...

I don't care what form of government they choose. That's their business.

But I do have respect for what they have accomplished -- pulling their people out of colonial era oppression and poverty to what will soon be the world's leading economy.

I learned as an accountant and analyst to respect reality. It's the only world we live in. We can pretend otherwise. But that usually ends badly.

Apple begins crackdown on leakers from China

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