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salivan

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 10, 2015
133
40
Apple is driving me nuts lately.
Hardware issues all over the place. Replacements over replacement.

And now, I'm traveling to a country in Europe and they tell me:

"Due to local laws and restrictions we cannot support individuals chatting from Georgia."

Fun fact, I had a chat with them myriads of time from this particular country. Never ever I was refused support.

What the actual f* Apple?
 
Last edited:

Juicy Box

macrumors 604
Sep 23, 2014
7,578
8,919
I agree that there has been many issues with Apple lately, but this sounds like Apple just being in compliance with local laws.

I'm not going to pretend to know the laws where you are traveling to and from, but I bet Apple knows them.
 

jimsowden

macrumors 68000
Sep 6, 2003
1,766
18
NY
You're referring to apple chat support? Likely it's due to European or local privacy laws, since the support staff aren't in the country. I've had great support from Apple here in Britain.
 

salivan

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 10, 2015
133
40
- There are no local laws in Georgia not allowing Apple to chat. Or anyone to chat for that matter.
- Georgia has no GDPR, it is not part of European Union. Also GDPR doesn't prohibit getting support.

Apple doesn't have presense here, and they don't care.
When I asked them to provide information about which laws they are adhering to, they mumble about not knowing exactly. hint hint, there are none. My bet Apple is dividing regions where it doesn't want to provide support for whatever reason. Obviously easiest thing to do is to blame "local laws".

To the nasty commenters... So to receive support (online) I need to travel back to states? doesn't Apple sell "international warranty"? Ridiculous don't you think? Next time you are traveling and need help I hope you get the same treatment.

"Laws that do not allow Apple to provide support / chat" - :D
You guys are a joke, along with Apple.

But I will use proxy next time.
 
Last edited:

MRrainer

macrumors 68000
Aug 8, 2008
1,534
1,115
Zurich, Switzerland
You do realize that Apple is bound to both local laws and US-laws?
Ultimately, Uncle Sam trumps everything (pun intended).

You do realize that Russia has occupied certain territories of Georgia, right?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupied_territories_of_Georgia

It may be that there are laws in the US that forbid US companies doing business with Russia in these regions.
Probably similar rules exist for Crimea and the Eastern parts of Ukraine.

Apple might just want to err on the side of caution.
A chat might actually be considered "doing business" in the eyes of overzealous congress-men and ambitious DAs who want to make a name of themselves for being "tough on Russia".
 

salivan

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 10, 2015
133
40
You do realize that Apple is bound to both local laws and US-laws?
Ultimately, Uncle Sam trumps everything (pun intended).

You do realize that Russia has occupied certain territories of Georgia, right?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupied_territories_of_Georgia

It may be that there are laws in the US that forbid US companies doing business with Russia in these regions.
Probably similar rules exist for Crimea and the Eastern parts of Ukraine.

Apple might just want to err on the side of caution.
A chat might actually be considered "doing business" in the eyes of overzealous congress-men and ambitious DAs who want to make a name of themselves for being "tough on Russia".

Good theories, but they are all wrong.
U.S. actually supports Georgia both financially and militariliy, there are myriads of U.S. companies operating here, both from states and with local subsidiaries, this is why I'm located here :)

U.S. sanctions Russia, not it's victim countries. And actually, U.S. sactions anyone who supports breakaway regions.

So that's not it.
 
There are no local laws in Georgia not allowing Apple to chat. Or anyone to chat for that matter.
- Georgia has no GDPR, it is not part of European Union. Also GDPR doesn't prohibit getting support.

Apple doesn't have presense here, and they don't care.
When I asked them to provide information about which laws they are adhering to, they mumble about not knowing exactly. hint hint, there are none. My bet Apple is dividing regions where it doesn't want to provide support for whatever reason. Obviously easiest thing to do is to blame "local laws".
As an American based in India, there are local laws applicable and many times they may not be immediate apparent. India is battling a crisis of fake news. The Parliamentarians have summoned (not requested) heads of Twitter, WhatsApp, etc. to come before them and work out a solution. On the country's prodding, a limit of 5 forwards is enforced on WhatsApp. Today, when there is cross-border air force dogfights, internet services were switched off in the state of Jammu and Kashmir to prevent terrorists from communicating.

In short, not everything is visible, and multi-nationals like Apple, Google, etc., do not want to risk their presence in the country or an occupying country. I am reasonably sure, to Apple a p*ssed off Salivan, is not worth their presence in Russia.

And as you point out, Apple has no presence in Georgia. Please read the terms of the international warranty. I am sure it does not cover countries where Apple has no presence.

But I will use proxy next time.

That sir, is an excellent idea. :):)
 

bluespark

macrumors 68040
Jul 11, 2009
3,165
4,117
Chicago
The laws at issue may not be about chatting per se, but they could create a compliance issue for Apple that is best resolved by not allowing chat support. This is very common -- companies adopt policies based on the practical necessities of remaining compliant with various local legal and regulatory regimes. That doesn't mean that chat support is barred by local law, but it might mean that "due to" a local law, Apple cannot provide chat support.
 
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salivan

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 10, 2015
133
40
The laws at issue may not be about chatting per se, but they could create a compliance issue for Apple that is best resolved by not allowing chat support. This is very common -- companies adopt policies based on the practical necessities of remaining compliant with various local legal and regulatory regimes. That doesn't mean that chat support is barred by local law, but it might mean that "due to" a local law, Apple cannot provide chat support.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I just know that it sucks to be in this situation. In a new global world, people move around a lot.
 
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