3 ms·

It might hurt short term sales, but it helps paint a picture of “evil EU won’t let us sell you the latest features”. I.e.: propaganda fuel.

dismalaf 2y ago
The "USA" brand is currently taking a pummelling in Europe, this isn't a good strategy.
- jisnsm 2y ago
  Maybe in progressive circles. There’s life outside too.
  - dismalaf 2y ago
    Nah it's pretty much every circle in Europe. Macron in France and the current German government are centre right. Poland is socially way to the right. Baltics, Scandinavia, Italy, all pretty right wing. Only Putinistas support what the US is doing with Trump, which is to say, almost no one in Europe.
    - jisnsm 2y ago
      Macron is not right wing by absolutely any sane definition of the concept. Can’t say anything about the others.
      - dismalaf 2y ago
        Macron is definitely centre-right... He's literally a former investment banker who's been trying to dismantle the welfare state, lower taxes, increase business friendliness, etc... He's also been tough on immigration lately. Not sure in what world any of this would be considered leftist policies...
j_maffe 2y ago
If you're expecting a significant portion of EU citizens would take a stance with Apple instead of the EU, you'd be wrong.
crote 2y ago
How is that supposed to work? Apple doesn't have the market share it has in the US - it's at 33% in the EU compared to 57% in the US. Sure, they are popular, but they are still just another phone brand. They simply don't have enough hardcore fans to make a huge impact on a political level. The EU doesn't have the same kind of large-scale quasi-religious "all government bad" movement seen in the US. People may be skeptical about some details of some government regulation, but in general it is understood that consumer protection regulation actually protects the consumer. Calling the EU evil for this isn't going to work. Due to Trump's recent political movements there is a huge anti-US sentiment, especially around US tech companies. We're seeing near-unanimous support for governments exploring ways of getting rid of Microsoft and Amazon, and even tech-illiterate Boomers are asking me if I switched to Signal yet. (For context, WhatsApp is universally adopted here - even my 95-year-old grandma is on it!) People aren't going to trust Apple, simply because it is American. So no, I don't think Apple will be able to successfully paint a picture like that. They could try, but they would just be made fun of in late-night talkshows.
- lucasban 2y ago
  For what it’s worth, Signal is also American.

dismalaf 2y ago

The "USA" brand is currently taking a pummelling in Europe, this isn't a good strategy.

jisnsm 2y ago
Maybe in progressive circles. There’s life outside too.
- dismalaf 2y ago
  Nah it's pretty much every circle in Europe. Macron in France and the current German government are centre right. Poland is socially way to the right. Baltics, Scandinavia, Italy, all pretty right wing. Only Putinistas support what the US is doing with Trump, which is to say, almost no one in Europe.
  - jisnsm 2y ago
    Macron is not right wing by absolutely any sane definition of the concept. Can’t say anything about the others.
    - dismalaf 2y ago
      Macron is definitely centre-right... He's literally a former investment banker who's been trying to dismantle the welfare state, lower taxes, increase business friendliness, etc... He's also been tough on immigration lately. Not sure in what world any of this would be considered leftist policies...

j_maffe 2y ago

If you're expecting a significant portion of EU citizens would take a stance with Apple instead of the EU, you'd be wrong.

crote 2y ago

How is that supposed to work? Apple doesn't have the market share it has in the US - it's at 33% in the EU compared to 57% in the US. Sure, they are popular, but they are still just another phone brand. They simply don't have enough hardcore fans to make a huge impact on a political level. The EU doesn't have the same kind of large-scale quasi-religious "all government bad" movement seen in the US. People may be skeptical about some details of some government regulation, but in general it is understood that consumer protection regulation actually protects the consumer. Calling the EU evil for this isn't going to work. Due to Trump's recent political movements there is a huge anti-US sentiment, especially around US tech companies. We're seeing near-unanimous support for governments exploring ways of getting rid of Microsoft and Amazon, and even tech-illiterate Boomers are asking me if I switched to Signal yet. (For context, WhatsApp is universally adopted here - even my 95-year-old grandma is on it!) People aren't going to trust Apple, simply because it is American. So no, I don't think Apple will be able to successfully paint a picture like that. They could try, but they would just be made fun of in late-night talkshows.

lucasban 2y ago
For what it’s worth, Signal is also American.