Apple Quietly Removed 60 More VPNs From Russian App Store (theregister.com) 36
Apple has pulled 60 VPNs from its App Store in Russia, according to research from anti-censorship org GreatFire. From a report: The iThing-maker's action comes amid a Kremlin crackdown on VPNs that has already seen a ban on privacy-related extensions to the open source Firefox browser. The software's developer, Mozilla, defied that ban and allowed the extensions back into its web store. In July, Apple removed at least one VPN from its Russian App Store. Cupertino removed at least 60 more between early July and September 18, according to research by GreatFire posted to its site that tracks Apple censorship. The org's research asserts that 98 VPNs are now unavailable in Russia -- but doesn't specify if the removals were made in the iOS or macOS app stores.
Why does Putin get an app store?!?!? (Score:1)
I thoight there were sanctions! Why don't I get an app store!?!?
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As that pedo guy said when he rolled over and censored opposition candidates accounts in the days before the Turkish election, it's either do what the country says or be banned completely.
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So, what you're saying is that you aren't making any sacrifices, but Apple should?
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Companies are obligated to obey the law in the countries where they operate.
The choice is not between banning the VPN apps or allowing them.
The only choice is between banning the VPN apps or all apps being banned when the government shuts Apple down. That would accomplish nothing.
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Officially, Apple doesn't actually operate in Russia. So, they don't actually have to do anything. The mere fact that Russians import and own Apple products, does not mean Apple is operating there. Even if Russia then banned Apple products, they would still be imported and sold in Russia. Apple maybe loses a teeny bit of future revenue, a blip to them, but otherwise loses nothing. All Russia would be able to do is crackdown on Russians, which Apple already rolls over and lets them when they could be lazy, d
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Or they can open up the phones to allow side-loading.
The choice very much is between banning VPNs or allowing them. It's also between allowing choice or not. It's also between choosing to make a profit on misery and suffering.
It is all about choice. And I choose not to give Apple a dime. I will never knowingly give Apple a dime.
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You guys at Apple just bent right over, eh? I get that companies have feduciary responsibility to shareholders and all that, but goddamn, this is a chicken-shit-pussy-asshole move and you guys SUCK for doing it. Hey why not spend some time making an AI that can detect VPN usage on big Point-of-Presence peering links and that way authoritarians could just scoop up every user in the country and throw them in the gulag? Maybe do some bio-warfare research or kick a puppy or two? Re-wax your handlebar mustache and say "Muwahahahaha!" in the mirror?
They did what any good capitalist would do, they acted in the best interests of their company and its shareholders and maximised profits. Would you have had them do something else? Like take losses in the name of your lofty ideologies and thereby not act in the best interests of their company and its shareholders?
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Like take losses in the name of your lofty ideologies
Yes, that's exactly what I expect. Precisely. Some things aren't worth the money.
and thereby not act in the best interests of their company and its shareholders?
Well, that's the big problem, isn't it? The corporations' charter and the fiduciary responsibility of management to shareholders. By the way that's all from corporatism which is pretty much just Fascism under another name. Capitalism doesn't dictate any of that horseshit. Free Association is one of my core beliefs and aligns quite well with Capitalism.
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Why? (Score:2)
Why not just flip the bird to Russia and say "Call us when you stop throwing a temper tantrum, and we'll reconsider you then"
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This is EXACTLY the same approach the USA has, obey our laws or else.
US laws end at the US boarder.
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Officially, Apple does not sell anything in Russia. Russian companies buy equipment in other countries and bring it to their stores. If I import a Japanese product via England, the Japanese company isn't suddenly operating in the US, nor do they have to suddenly comply with US laws.
Therefore, Apple doesn't have to do shit. They are willfully doing it with no legal requirement whatsoever.
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Apple might not be selling hardware in Russia, but they operate an "AppStore" which is accessible to the residents of Russia. Maybe they only have free apps, or maybe the residents of Russia can pay Apple for services. Either way it's a business which Apple has chosen to operate there. Apple probably still intends to return to full operations in Russia in a few years and does not want to earn a permanent ban.
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they operate an "AppStore" which is accessible to the residents of Russia
Irrelevant. The fact that you can use the App Store within Russia means nothing. The fact that Russians could give money to Apple, via the App Store, means nothing. If I (not Apple) sold an iPhone to an alien on Mars, and that alien than manages to purchase apps in the App Store (somehow)... Apple is not suddenly operating on Mars. If I take my Google phone to North Korea, and buy apps while in North Korea, Google is not suddenly operating in North Korea.
Apple probably still intends to return to full operations in Russia in a few years and does not want to earn a permanent ban.
Nothing to risk, as they don't operate there. It woul
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Why not just flip the bird to Russia and say "Call us when you stop throwing a temper tantrum, and we'll reconsider you then"
Apple always has the option to cease doing business in any country if they do not want to obey the laws of that country. Unless they choose to exit that country, they are responsible for following the laws of the countries they do business in. Very few large multinationals choose to exit a country when money vs ethics is involved.
Re: Why? (Score:2)
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Officially, Apple does not sell anything in Russia. Russian companies buy equipment in other countries and bring it to their stores. Therefore, Apple doesn't have to do shit. But chose to anyway.
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Why is Apple still doing business in Russia in violation of US and EU sanctions?
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Technically, they aren't. But they are following rules, laws, and regulations as if they were. All Apple products sold within Russia (at least since Russia started their illegitimate war) have been imported from other countries that Apple does sell to. Could even be through multiple middlemen countries.
So, it's just Apple complying with rules, laws, and regulations that they are under no obligation to follow and lose nothing if they don't.
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Ahh... they are playing the long game... betting that when all this temporary unpleasantness blows over they can simply go back to business as usual in Russia. They don't want to offended anyone important in the meantime.
Neutrality! Capitalism with no conscience.
The Tenets of International Appleism (Score:2)
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My dream is that, someday, humanity, or at least some significant fraction of it, will be able to distinguish between an ethos and a logo.
I'd be happy if they could spot a mytho(s) when confronted with one - then maybe they wouldn't succumb to the patho(s) with which Apple's bullshit is sold.
Centralized app store = Centralized authority (Score:1)
Not right-wing (Score:1)
Opportunistic sycophants (Score:3)
I think Tim Cook would sell out his own family in order to preserve Apple's profits.
CIA and Homeland should keep an eye on this - I have little doubt that Mr. Courage would sell out his own country if the price was high enough.
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I do hate capitalism. It actively bad.
Fuck Apple (Score:1)