How Apple is Paving the Way to a 'Cloud Dictatorship' in China

http://globalvoices.org/2018/02/10/how-apple-is-paving-the-way-to-a-cloud-dictatorship-in-china/
Date Written:  2018-02-10
Publisher:  Global Voices
Year Published:  2018
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX21990

Apple Inc. is set to hand over the operation of its iCloud data center in mainland China to a local corporation, but Apple has not explained the real issue. With the move a state-owned big data company controlled by the Chinese government will have access to all the data of its service users in China; this will allow the state apparatus to jump into the cloud and look into the data of Apple's Chinese users.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

I still remember how in February 2016, after the attack in San Bernardino, Apple CEO Tim Cook withstood pressure from the US Department of Justice to build an iPhone operating system that could circumvent security features and install it in the iPhone of the shooter. Cook even issued an open letter to defend the company's decision.

Apple's insistence on protecting user data won broad public support. At the same time, it was criticized by the Department of Justice, which retorted that the open letter "appears to be based on its concern for its business model and public brand marketing strategy."

This comment has proven true today, because it is clear that the company is operating on a double standard in its Chinese business. We could even say that it is bullying the good actor while being terrified by the bad one.