This is not an apt comparison. There’s a big difference between choosing a certain direction in a free market and complying with government requirements in a li

This is not an apt comparison. There’s a big difference between choosing a certain direction in a free market and complying with government requirements in a limited market. Apple has set the bar at a certain height for privacy in whatever markets they participate in, and that is clearly higher than their competitors in those same markets. The Chinese government has forced them to lower the bar in that specific market not by choice. Why not just opt out of that market? Well, obviously it’s a huge market and that would be stupid, but also you can’t make changes if you don’t have a seat at the table. It’s a better strategy to maintain a presence there, be able to at least have a chance at influence, and already have a foothold if things change.