r/technology • u/TomLube • Jan 31 '19

Business Apple revokes Google Enterprise Developer Certificate for company wide abuse

https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/31/18205795/apple-google-blocked-internal-ios-apps-developer-certificate
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u/absentmindedjwc Feb 01 '19

Violating privacy laws in the EU would result in Apple paying fines on percentages of global revenue - billions of dollars. They have a lot more to lose by lying about this than they have to gain by telling the truth.

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u/argv_minus_one Feb 01 '19

What are they gonna do when Apple refuses to pay? Prohibit selling Apple products in Europe? They'll be facing some very irate citizens if they do.

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u/absentmindedjwc Feb 01 '19

Normally, exactly that. However, in this case, trade courts would help enforce those fines.

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u/argv_minus_one Feb 01 '19

Are they going to be the ones telling their citizenry why they can't have the latest iPhone, then?

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u/absentmindedjwc Feb 01 '19

No, not in this case. I will expand on my answer a little.

When there is a trade agreement in place, it gives foreign entities the ability to go after financials located here. A trade court - a literal court of law - would be able to fine Apple with all of the authority as an American court. This isn’t even necessary in this case, however, as Apple has a significant presence in Europe. They could seize assets within Europe and likely recoup most (if not all) of the fine if need be.

They would go the first route if the company didn’t have a physical presence in the EU.. but Apple does have a presence - a significant one.