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Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

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41–50 of 634 posts

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#41
post #5

What next? Taking down Netflix shows that show apple in a bad manner?

Wasn’t there some kind of rule that bad guys in TV shows cant have iphones?

Many other brands have similar rules on using their stuff, nothing special there.

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#42

I'm from Belarus. Honestly, I'm surprised Apple gives a shit. Now I'm worried that Apple can cooperate with local police in case they make inquiry. Am I safe? Here is the link to one group that uses ML to de-anonymize people: https://youtu.be/FAJIrnphTFg

You've got to just hope that Apple realizes how bad this would blow up in their face if they worked with police in Belarus to identify democratic protestors, especially given their emphasis on "privacy" in their marketing.

Unfortunately, I doubt anyone would care for longer than a week. The privacy angle is irrelevant to most of their customers.

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#43

I'm from Belarus. Honestly, I'm surprised Apple gives a shit. Now I'm worried that Apple can cooperate with local police in case they make inquiry. Am I safe? Here is the link to one group that uses ML to de-anonymize people: https://youtu.be/FAJIrnphTFg

You've got to just hope that Apple realizes how bad this would blow up in their face if they worked with police in Belarus to identify democratic protestors, especially given their emphasis on "privacy" in their marketing.

I doubt Apple fanboys even know about Belarus, after all the media is pointing them everywhere but where actual tyranny, injustice and oppression occurs.

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I doubt it. Maybe they crack down on an app or two when they feel like it but Apple aren't moving the needle on incitement. Plus they make and sell communication apps subject to carrying the exact same sentiments. Content policing a chat app is asinine.

It's not. They don't allow NSFW apps on iOS even if it's user generated. They have to make it explicitly opt in with significant restrictions. Apple can do whatever they want on their platform. I wouldn't want to be involved in something illegal such as above when using an app on iOS accidentally.

> Apple can do whatever they want on their platform.

Actually no they can’t much of the world has laws to prevent such abuses of power.

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#46
post #5

What next? Taking down Netflix shows that show apple in a bad manner?

Wasn’t there some kind of rule that bad guys in TV shows cant have iphones?

No. Apple just doesn't give away free stuff for the bad guys. When producers enquiry apple if they can get devices without cost, apple only gives them for the good guys. If the bad ones should be seen on camera with iphones, the production has to buy them.

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#47

The relevant piece is this: "Apple is requesting that Telegram shut down three channels used in Belarus to expose the identities of individuals belonging to the Belarusian authoritarian regime that may be oppressing civilians" Exposing identities of individuals is problematic. There are examples of bad things happening when these kind of messages spread through messaging apps.

Apple is no relevant party in this conflict. This should be a case between the people who are allegedly being doxxed (who go to the police) and the alleged doxxers.

This stuff Apple does is what happens when someone gets on a power trip. What they gonna do next, attemp to censor forums available in Safari?

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not. They don't allow NSFW apps on iOS even if it's user generated. They have to make it explicitly opt in with significant restrictions. Apple can do whatever they want on their platform. I wouldn't want to be involved in something illegal such as above when using an app on iOS accidentally.

Telegram is Apple's own platform? Are you saying Apple is involved in something illegal by allowing Telegram to distribute software through the App Store, since people use it to dox Putin-aligned police in Belarus?

There is already a precedent for apple to not allow apps that doesn't align with its content policies even if user generated. Anything NSFW is not allowed by default and without explicit warnings. Porn is not allowed. Drug stores are not allowed. Gab is not allowed. Imageboards aren't. Why would this be different?

Apple owns the app store and the iOS platform. They have a duty to protect their customers from clicking on unsightly and wrongful content. Customers expect that from apple. I wouldn't want any kid to end up accessing this channel on telegram.

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#49

Through what right or means can Apple demand this, though? Telegram is a platform for user-generated content and it seems odd for Apple to single-out those 3 channels/groups specifically - what about the hundreds of thousands of other objectionable groups on Telegram? And why Telegram in particular? Why doesn't Apple give the same ultimatum to Facebook to pressure them to block access to militant ethnonationalist gro…

> And why Telegram in particular?

It ended up as the main way Belarussian protesters organize themselves. TG is a huge target for their government and I would not be surprised if Apple is being pressured by them.

Re: Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

#50
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't be so optimistic. Apple and Google are a duopoly to control mobile messaging (outside of China). Not for me, I use a Linux phone (Sailfish OS) with no Google. Not for real activists (criminals in the eyes es of oppressive governments like Chaina, Belarus, Russia, Iran, Turkey, ...) who will always find their way. But for 98% of any population.

Allowing sideloading for Android makes Google much harder to control the platform. I’d not be surprised though if sideloading would be not allowed in the future.

Not really. Normal people don't sideload. The people who do know how to sideload aren't in danger of getting forced by the monopolies anyways because they're tech-savyy enough.
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