[cyp0633]

US-designed iPhones have at least 2 cameras, some microphones, and biometric sensors. From this point, everyone outside the US should stop using iPhones to prevent surveillance from the American empire.

From another angle, the iPhones are primarily made in China AND India via third-party factories, so no one should ever use iPhones any more.

You have the right to concern about privacy, but that's not how it works.

[esafak]

It is, because Apple's privacy stance and record are known. What do we know about this Chinese company, besides the fact that it is beholden to a government that does not care for privacy?

[iAMkenough]

Apple's record is complying with a majority of government requests for customer data.

Not to mention its CEO manufacturing and gifting on bended knee a custom 24-karat gold Apple plaque to a federal government leader that does not care for privacy or foreign customers. That sent the message internationally, loud and clear.

[standardUser]

Apple's policy is to submit to nearly all requests made by the federal government, though they get substantial credit for resisting some requests. This of course depends on the decisions made by current leadership, which can and will change (while the phone in your pocket remains the same).

[ahmedfromtunis]

The problem is that not all governments constrain themselves to only use requests and/or allow companies to challenge said requests. And that's at least what you get dealing with Apple and the USA (most of the time).

[iAMkenough]

(Most of the time) is as true as you trust the federal government that demonstrably lies and “loses” records whenever it feels is convenient for them.

[Zambyte]

> You have the right to concern about privacy, but that's not how it works.

You had all the right reasoning but came to the wrong conclusion. That is exactly how it works, and people should not use iPhones.

[Arch-TK]

Let's put aside whether you can trust apple for a moment.

Where the hardware comes from is much less of a risk than the fact than where the locked down firmware and software comes from.

Yes the west's over-dependence on Chinese hardware is a liability, but what's easier? Compromising hardware or compromising software? If you don't know, I'll tell you, it's the latter.

[f33d5173]

There are tens of much more successful robot vacuum companies. You do not buy roomba because of their capability in making robot vacuums, that already drove them bankrupt. If all you wanted was the brand name, you could have bought just that. The valuable asset here is the large number of products in people's homes which can now be monetized.

[hnben]

> From this point, everyone outside the US should stop using iPhones to prevent surveillance from the American empire.

yes.

> From another angle, the iPhones are primarily made in China AND India via third-party factories, so no one should ever use iPhones any more.

also yes.

[a456463]

This is a bullshit argument. At least the OS on iphones is american. For IOT devices it isn't the same.

[palata]

Which is why the parent said "for anyone outside the US". Of course for anyone in the US, at least Apple is a US company. But that only works for people in the US :-).

[Mouvelie]

How does it work then ? Explain us how the US, China, and India don't abuse of surveillance on whoever they can, please.

[palata]

Not the OP, but I understood it as "anyway we're screwed, and if you're okay with the company in question being in your country, Apple is okay only for people in the US".