[delhanty]

Apple also has a question mark attached to its commitment to privacy in China.

Even though the Twitter thread below is by a NYT reporter, it sounds directionally credible given how embedded Apple is in China, both from a manufacturing point of view and also as a growing market.

2021-MAY-18

"NEW: Apple is jeopardizing its Chinese users’ data and augmenting the Chinese government’s censorship to placate authorities and keep its business running. Here is our multiyear investigation into Apple's Faustian bargain in China: ..."

https://twitter.com/jacknicas/status/1394378309325230080

[swiley]

They have a big question mark attached to it anywhere. Who do you know doesn't back up their device to Apple?

[isodev]

It is unfortunate, but I think that's partially what the article also implies - it can't be up to a single company to fight the good fight.

Also, Apple needs to comply with local legislation to be able to provide services in other countries. China also happens to be the country source for most of Apple's supply chain - it's not exactly viable to start fighting the local authorities.

Imagine if other big companies with impact in China (like Epic?) choose to align and apply pressure in the name of user privacy (instead of wasting time and money on pointless litigation)... then perhaps, it will be much harder for a local government to get its way.

[sneak]

Google doesn't provide services in China, because to do so they'd have to censor for the CCP, like Apple does.