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They might think that it’s better for people to have access to their technology than not to, even if certain apps are unavailable. Would it be ethical for them
by zepto 6y ago
They might think that it’s better for people to have access to their technology than not to, even if certain apps are unavailable.
Would it be ethical for them to abandon all of their customers in Pakistan over this?
- babesh 6y agoYes it would be ethical to abandon their customers over this. Apparently religious freedom isn’t where you draw the line. What other rights are you willing to abandon?
- babesh 6y agoAlso those mostly aren’t their customers in Google’s case. Their customers are mostly the advertisers.
- zepto 6y agoOk then, let’s say users.
- zepto 6y agoTheir customers live in a country without religious freedom. Do you think Apple has the power to change that? If they don’t do business there their customers are objectively worse off. Not only do they not have religious freedom, but they also don’t have access to technology. That seems wrong to me. I wonder what people in Pakistan would say? Would most of them really want these companies to leave?
- babesh 6y agoI am saying that the companies are hypocrites. They don’t have to leave. Just expose their hypocrisy and lies.
- babesh 6y agoAlso, let’s take it even further. How about the right to vote? Would it ok to do business in a country where women don’t have the right to vote? How about apartheid? How about slavery? How about genocide? Where is your line and on what basis would you make it? Do you even have a line?
- zepto 6y agoNo - I just don’t think Apple has the power to stop religious repression in Pakistan. Despite being asked, you haven’t actually explained how they can do this. Also, I ask again: do the people of Pakistan want Apple to abandon their customers in Pakistan?
- babesh 6y agoThey can do any of the following: - stop branding their morality (especially Apple) - stop doing business in Pakistan You go try asking them.
- zepto 6y ago> stop branding their morality You can’t seriously think this would have any effect on Pakistan’s regime. > You go try asking them. Ok, so you don’t know what people in Pakistan want. How is it ethical for you to argue that they should not be allowed Google or Apple’s products?
- babesh 6y agoThis is the same exact argument made roughly 30 years ago with South Africa and apartheid.
- zepto 6y agoNot in the least. South Africa ultimately was pressured by wide ranging sanctions from nation states. That would be a good way to proceed in this case too.
- babesh 6y agoI was referring to the companies that were against the sanctions.
- zepto 6y agoApple is not against sanctions, so there is no comparison. If the US government includes technology restrictions as sanctions against Pakistan, I expect Apple would comply.
- babesh 6y agoThe point is that companies argued to continue doing business with South Africa because it would be a net benefit to those countries. It’s the same argument.
- zepto 6y agoNo it’s not remotely connected. There is no international sanctions campaign aimed at forcing Pakistan to support freedom of religion. There isn’t even any significant international response. The argument is that in the absence of any international action against Pakistan that might actually cause change, it is better for the people to continue to have smartphones, access to Google search, etc. If there was any international political movement for change in Pakistan, and Apple or Google were arguing against sanctions, then you would have a point.