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This is a vexing problem. It seems that many here would want Apply to defy China. This will result in Apple's expulsion from China/HK. Those users will then mo
by xibalba 7y ago
This is a vexing problem.
It seems that many here would want Apply to defy China. This will result in Apple's expulsion from China/HK. Those users will then move to other phone mfgs/services providers, with higher probability that it will be Chinese, thereby granting the PRC even more power over HK'ers.
Contrarily is the "seat at the table" approach. Apple could comply with China, while continually introducing features/functionality that fundamentally block them (Apple) from complying with PRC demands (encryption, privacy, etc etc). Apple would not be able to announce this, and it might ruin their reputation in the meantime. It also allows Apple to continue hoovering up that sweet, sweet China/HK cash.
What is the best approach? Most of the comments here are signficantly oversimplifying the options available to Apple and the calculus that goes into making those decisions. Additionally, most opinions being posted are heavily centered on Western values/viewpoints.
- matwood 7y agoI agree with you that it is more complicated than just leaving or not. Plus, Apple is currently dependent on Chinese manufacturing (a problem of Apples own making for sure). I would love to know what the conversations are between Apple and China right now. IMO, Apple has to be working towards removing their dependence on Chinese manufacturing, if for nothing else for business risk mitigation.
- xibalba 7y ago> Apple is currently dependent on Chinese manufacturing This seems like the single most overlooked aspect of this. Bc of this, China has existential leverage over Apple.
- mslate 7y agoThe single most overlooked aspect of this is how many Chinese are employed as part of Apple’s supply chain. It is not in CCP interest to destroy millions of Chinese citizens’ incomes.
- matwood 7y agoThis is a side I hadn't thought of. But, given how China appears to treat its citizens do you think they really care?
- towelrod 7y agoMost companies have been trying the "seat at the table" approach for the last ~10 years and this is where it got us.
- parliament32 7y ago>Apple's expulsion from China/HK There is 0% chance of this happening. Right now the PRC is heavily relying on the majority of the mainland China population not looking too closely at what's happening in HK, and just considering it "a few students making trouble". But if all Apple services suddenly stop working, there's going to be a huge "hang on a sec, what's going on again?" reaction, which will lead to an incredible amount of trouble for the PRC.