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Apple tells Telegram to take down protestor channels in Belarus

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

#51

Post by whyoh »

DaiPlusPlus wrote: post #6

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…

Well, one technical reason is that WhatsApp groups — unlike Telegram groups — use encryption. So Facebook doesn't know what goes on inside them.

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

#52

Post by barumi »

notRobot wrote: post #20

https://t.me/durov/136 > Previously, when removing posts at Apple’s request, Telegram replaced those posts with a notice that cited the exact rule limiting such content for iOS users. However, Apple reached out to us a while ago and said our app is not allowed to show users such notices because they were “irrelevant”. Fucking hell, Apple. ---- cough https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four#Ministry_...

It´s like Apple wants to enforce censorship on behalf of oppressing dictatorships, but doesn´t want to deal with the consequences of enforcing censorship on behalf of oppressing dictatorships.

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

#53

Post by Renaud »

By allowing itself to overreach into user-content, Apple is setting enough precedents that it will not be able to refuse blocking more and become a moderator for all apps, threatening any with removal if they don't comply.

That's a very dangerous path Apple is taking, caving to the demands of dictatorial and corrupt governments.

I'm hoping that this move will put Apple in hot waters, at least it should come under scrutiny.

But I'm not naive enough to believe that this sort of action will not become more prevalent.

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

#54

Post by saagarjha »

notRobot wrote: post #20

https://t.me/durov/136 > Previously, when removing posts at Apple’s request, Telegram replaced those posts with a notice that cited the exact rule limiting such content for iOS users. However, Apple reached out to us a while ago and said our app is not allowed to show users such notices because they were “irrelevant”. Fucking hell, Apple. ---- cough https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four#Ministry_...

Not only are you forced to follow whatever Apple tells you to do, you’re not allowed to communicate as such because it might make Apple look bad to users who don’t know any better. It’s really a quite inconvenient situation.

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

#56

Post by zucker42 »

It's pretty unfortunate that Apple is willing to support an authoritarian regime to the point of requiring an app to censor its users. I wonder how this came to Apple's attention; was it requested by Belarus's government? And I wonder what the consequences of Telegram not complying would be.

It's unclear why they would demand this, given that Google seems to not need to make similar demands.

This also seems like it encourages repressive governments to cajole Apple to pressure apps to remove user content in the future.

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

#57

Post by saagarjha »

read_if_gay_ wrote: post #49
DaiPlusPlus wrote: post #6

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.

Apple painted this target on their own back when they decided they’d be the sole distributor of software for the platform.

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

#58

Post by yossarian1408 »

skocznymroczny wrote: post #24
threeseed wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are those shows likely to incite violence which may result in people being killed ? Because in Hong Kong similar channels were used to kill police. This isn't a simple question of censorship.

> This isn't a simple question of censorship. That's why we can't let corporations decide on that

Why not? If Instagram or Apple censors certain content, consumers can choose to move to Snapchat or Android, etc. If a government censors certain content, that's the end of the story.

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

#59

Post by barumi »

paulcarroty wrote: post #21
PureParadigm wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How about we consider any website accessible through Safari? Is Apple going to start blocking users from viewing those?

I'll not be surprised. Apple always wants total control on their platforms. Obviously sometimes its plays against them.

> Obviously sometimes its plays against them.

Also known as accountability for their own actions.

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

#60

Post by Razengan »

cblconfederate wrote: post #28
threeseed wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are those shows likely to incite violence which may result in people being killed ? Because in Hong Kong similar channels were used to kill police. This isn't a simple question of censorship.

ha , i d say some apple fanbois are borderline violent

I only see jihad against Apple and their users than from Apple users.
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