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Apple to Resist India's Order to Preload Government App on iPhones
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I find it frustrating that Apple doesn't want to push back against the one in their own country. 😞
Good. If they don't, then other governments like the EU will consider introducing a "Save Democracy" app as mandatory on all phones.
Yes I do,looks like i have run into a Bhakt here who thinks the bjp won 303 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. I know the bhakts are deluded and dumb, but this is another level.I'm sure, you understand Indian politics.
Donald Trump will just wield trade policies to put India in its place just like he did with Europe because of their constant pursuit of American tech companies.
(not stating this to support or be against anything here but stating the fact that Apple is an American company and is in Trumps good books due to Tim Cook's pleasing skills)
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Visited yes, lived in, no, (although check back with me in a few years). To be clear, I don't think India is a full-on authoritarian regime; I do think Modi would absolutely like it to be one and is working hard to make that happen. I also see absolutely no legitimate reason for forcing manufacturers to pre-install software that is, at best, of a dubious nature and at worst, government surveillance. Particular when forcing the installation is potentially unconstitutional (per the opposition party), particularly when the app is currently in the App Store for those who wish to download it.
To be 100% clear, I think Apple absolutely needs to follow the laws of the countries it operates in, even when those laws are bad, and if the laws are so bad that it doesn't think it can operate under them then it should leave the country. If India tries to force Apple's hand, I would hope Apple would sue to try to prevent it. I also think if that happens and Apple loses the lawsuit, then they'll either need to comply or leave the country.
I think that Apple (and in fact, all companies) should push back as hard as possible on those laws that it thinks hurt its customers, whether that's this law, the UK trying to insert a backdoor to encryption, onerous EU regulation, or Chinese law. Just because Apple doesn't (publicly) push back on China doesn't mean it doesn't want to or they respect China more than India/the EU, but that authoritarian regimes don't abide by being challenged. You can absolutely argue Apple should leave China rather than comply, but I'd suggest that arguing "well Apple does whatever China wants" isn't (pardon the pun) a apples to apples comparison.
I think the great thing about democracies is that people and companies can push back hard on laws they think are unjust or unconstitutional. I'd argue pushing back doesn't mean Apple "isn't following the law" it means that it is trying to use its significant clout to do right by its customers. We should applaud Apple for doing so, not attack them for it.
Why does Apple even bother with India? It's more trouble than it's worth.
You are mistaken, as I am not a Hindu. Generally, it's better to use English terms. With its allies, the BJP has secured the majority, which is more than half of the Indian Parliament. Anyway, India would be called Bharat.
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One has to wonder how they decide which draconian requests they'll follow and which they won't.
They'll listen to Don and Xi no problem.
They'll listen to Don and Xi no problem.
They’ll listen to anyone that will say, in clear to understand terms, “You will do this or stop selling devices in the region.” The EU NEEDS the iPhone to continue to be sold in the region, so they will never state anything so clearly. Other regions, not so much.
I'm inclined to disagree. What does Apple do for the EU that makes the EU dependent?
People respect the sovereignty of individual countries. It's not up to Apple (Americans) to tell other countries how to live. Not being an Indian citizen (my assumption) you should not even try to judge what's good or bad for people of India.
I understand. You’re for letting bad things happen around the world and not having the US step in where possible to assist because we need to respect the sovereignty of individual countries. /s
As long as the US assists the world Apple certainly can put its two cents in and negotiate business arrangements. And sometimes it’s easy to see what is good and bad outside of your purview.
Oh, you do!
Do you suggest that the US must be the world's policeman? When did a cop have that right?
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I couldn't disagree more strongly. I am absolutely entitled to have an opinion of other countries' laws, especially if they impact what I consider to be fundamental human rights. Sovereignty means India gets to pass its own laws; it does not mean everyone else has to pretend those laws are beyond criticism. And Apple is entirely within its rights to push back on rules it believes harm its users or its business.
Non-Americans (in my opinion, often quite rightly) criticize US gun laws, healthcare, privacy rules, etc., all the time on MacRumors. Which is good and healthy! Nobody ever says, “you’re not American, you don’t get to judge.” If a government passes a law, say, forcing companies to share users’ precise location, break encryption, or share personal data with authorities on demand without a warrant, I don’t need to be a citizen of that country to say “that’s a bad idea for privacy and safety.”
We don't really criticise. They are your laws, your problem.
We rejoice that no one is likely to pull a gun and kill us at a school, bus stand, or shopping centre, or drive down the road shooting people at will where we live. We are grateful that we can get sick and grow old without fear.
What a stupid and antiquated law. Let me come into your house, survey everything that you have, preview everything that you do and keep an eye on you 24x7, all in the name of "protecting you". There are modern ways of protecting the population from cyber frauds. Apple should push back.