3 ms·

Apple could take the Galt Gulch option: buy a small country and move there where there sre no extradition treaties to bother with.

techdragon 11y ago
I always wonder how hard it would be and just how effective it would be if it was done. Sovereignty is a funny topic... If Apple "buys" a country with a land border the "abdication of existing government" could be considered by their neighbours over the border as grounds to consider the territory "vacant" ... If Apple "bought" an island nation or a country comprising multiple islands, then they would have to "defend" their new home from the newfound "enemy" of the USA ( and I hear the Navy is quite formidable ;-) ) who might be a little bit pissed off, or may just decide like to "consider" that Apple purchasing the country makes it not a country and they don't have to listen to Apple when they ask nicely not to enter their territory with aircraft carriers, or say ... submarines that tap into undersea cables... Right now Apple has a fair amount of protection by virtue of being an American company, an American company that is also considered an American person with rights under the constitution, such as not being "compelled to speak", which is why we're hearing about this sort of possible change in tactics. The FBI can't force them to talk so they ask for the script so they can talk for them.
dheera 11y ago
If you don't have either (a) a competent military of your own, or (b) countries which have strong enough economic or cultural relations with you to want to protect your interests with their military, it is meaningless to form a micronation for the purpose of evading a large country's laws. The US or any other army could just invade, capture, or colonize your little country, which is pretty much how the world has worked throughout history. Furthermore, without good relations with other nations, you're not going to get very far with exports, internet connections, food, passenger transport, investment, and just about everything else you need to sustain basic life and business.

techdragon 11y ago

I always wonder how hard it would be and just how effective it would be if it was done. Sovereignty is a funny topic... If Apple "buys" a country with a land border the "abdication of existing government" could be considered by their neighbours over the border as grounds to consider the territory "vacant" ... If Apple "bought" an island nation or a country comprising multiple islands, then they would have to "defend" their new home from the newfound "enemy" of the USA ( and I hear the Navy is quite formidable ;-) ) who might be a little bit pissed off, or may just decide like to "consider" that Apple purchasing the country makes it not a country and they don't have to listen to Apple when they ask nicely not to enter their territory with aircraft carriers, or say ... submarines that tap into undersea cables... Right now Apple has a fair amount of protection by virtue of being an American company, an American company that is also considered an American person with rights under the constitution, such as not being "compelled to speak", which is why we're hearing about this sort of possible change in tactics. The FBI can't force them to talk so they ask for the script so they can talk for them.

dheera 11y ago

If you don't have either (a) a competent military of your own, or (b) countries which have strong enough economic or cultural relations with you to want to protect your interests with their military, it is meaningless to form a micronation for the purpose of evading a large country's laws. The US or any other army could just invade, capture, or colonize your little country, which is pretty much how the world has worked throughout history. Furthermore, without good relations with other nations, you're not going to get very far with exports, internet connections, food, passenger transport, investment, and just about everything else you need to sustain basic life and business.