3 ms·

As a brit I would find it amusing if Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft jointly announced that privacy is a hill to die on, and they'd rather collectively withdr

As a brit I would find it amusing if Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft jointly announced that privacy is a hill to die on, and they'd rather collectively withdraw their businesses from the UK than accede to demands like this. My government would cave within the hour.

tim333 2y ago
Probably Apple will refuse to comply then the UK govt will threaten fines and then nothing much will happen.
kypro 2y ago
100%. We have very little power to demand this in my opinion. Honestly I don't think Apple would even need to work with other tech giants on this (although that would help). The UK makes up a few percent of Apple's total revenues so while Apple would take a hit, they can afford to pull out of the UK and it could be worth doing if they're serious about proving how important privacy is to them. Apple will face some reputational harm should they choose to put a back door in their products at the threat of an authoritarian government, and that harm will need to be weighed against the cost of pulling out of the UK entirely. And realistically Apple announcing that they're going to pull out of the UK will result in panic in confidence in UK tech. How the hell are we going to build competitive tech companies if developers can't even access Apple products? And after 14 years of economic stagnation it's not like we have excess growth we can give up... Apple should be very firm in their response to this. The UK are over playing their hand.
- randunel 2y ago
  You mean, like the rest of the world'd financial institutions do for the US? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Account_Tax_Compliance_Act https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Account_Tax_Complian...
- MrScruff 2y ago
  Exactly, the UK’s number one priority right now is growth, otherwise we’re headed for austerity and possibly an election victory for Reform/Nigel Farage. I don’t think entering into a standoff with Apple over this is going to do much to give the impression the UK is great for business.

tim333 2y ago

Probably Apple will refuse to comply then the UK govt will threaten fines and then nothing much will happen.

kypro 2y ago

100%. We have very little power to demand this in my opinion. Honestly I don't think Apple would even need to work with other tech giants on this (although that would help). The UK makes up a few percent of Apple's total revenues so while Apple would take a hit, they can afford to pull out of the UK and it could be worth doing if they're serious about proving how important privacy is to them. Apple will face some reputational harm should they choose to put a back door in their products at the threat of an authoritarian government, and that harm will need to be weighed against the cost of pulling out of the UK entirely. And realistically Apple announcing that they're going to pull out of the UK will result in panic in confidence in UK tech. How the hell are we going to build competitive tech companies if developers can't even access Apple products? And after 14 years of economic stagnation it's not like we have excess growth we can give up... Apple should be very firm in their response to this. The UK are over playing their hand.

randunel 2y ago
You mean, like the rest of the world'd financial institutions do for the US? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Account_Tax_Compliance_Act https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Account_Tax_Complian...
MrScruff 2y ago
Exactly, the UK’s number one priority right now is growth, otherwise we’re headed for austerity and possibly an election victory for Reform/Nigel Farage. I don’t think entering into a standoff with Apple over this is going to do much to give the impression the UK is great for business.