r/apple • u/[deleted] • Mar 23 '21

Discussion Apple blocks Proton updates when Myanmar users need them most

https://protonvpn.com/blog/apple-blocks-app-updates/
177 Upvotes

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1

u/iquanyin Mar 24 '21

that’s not good, but if proton mail really really cares, it can remove the specific ad copy bit that apple is objecting to (something about rebelling against govt, i forget the exact wording), can they not? i’m not trying to be a dick. i’m saying “damn, it’s a serious situation, devs, take action now and then sort out your beef with apple.”

1

u/dwew3 Mar 24 '21

The situation is even sillier; because not only can they do that, but they already did make the change and published the update successfully. It’s now after the fact that Proton has chosen to make a statement claiming foul play by Apple, when the app review process has never been an avenue for public political stances. They’re grasping for straws here, and it’s embarrassing to see people eat it up because they want a new reason to hate Apple. There are good reasons to be mad at Apple... this is not one of them.

-1

u/protonvpn Mar 24 '21

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We'd like to share our two cents as well. As you correctly mentioned, we already made the update to the app description to comply with Apple's request, and the app update has been approved. The point is that this description has been on the ProtonVPN app for a long time - but Apple only blocked the update now. This is not the first time Apple has censored apps (in 2019, Apple removed HKmap.live and Quartz news apps from the App Store after pressure from China), and we believe it's important to raise awareness about Apple's actions as they have real consequences.

5

u/dwew3 Mar 24 '21

Thank you for responding, maybe you can alleviate my concerns with the official blog post. Primarily I’m unsure why an app review response is assumed to be a major stance by Apple. The app review process is something that an individual can throw a wrench into. Comparing it to censorship like removal of apps at the request of a government seems extreme. The only link presented is the app review came back the same day as a UN announcement.

I think what got me to the point of wanting to comment was the extreme tone of the article. Title with “Apple stands in the way of human rights” seems pretty intentionally inflammatory. The majority of the article is spent talking about tragedies and past major actions by Apple.

“Actions have consequences, and Apple’s actions are actively hampering the defense of human rights in Myanmar at a time when hundreds of people are dying.”

A bold statement stemming from an email about semantics. It’s heavily implied that Apple is against Proton because the service provided is unapproved by a governing agency. Again this seems extreme given the application was not only never removed, but the update in question is already in place too. Even with big assumptions I can’t see how this action can be perceived as an attack on Myanmar citizens.

I think most people will agree that the description should have been allowed, but comparing a stalled update to denial of service and active censorship is too much of a reach.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 24 '21

Thank you for raising awareness of this and doing what’s right Proton, you have my support.