Apple and Google are two of the biggest names on the planet. They’re ubiquitous, powerful, and wealthy. But not so wealthy that they can’t still be bought for the right price.
We have to wonder how much the Kremlin paid for this:
Apple and Google have deleted the @navalny app from their store as Duma elections begin, bowing to pressure from the government. Russians can’t find the app in their store, it still works outside of country. https://t.co/CtTf0ZushW
— Andrew Roth (@Andrew__Roth) September 17, 2021
God forbid Russian users of Apple and Google products have access to information about Alexey Navalny and the opposition to Vladimir Putin’s regime. Guess Apple and Google are OK with losing some users if it means staying on the Kremlin’s good side.
BREAKING: @Apple and @Google just simultaneously pulled Russian opposition voting guide app on election morning.
It gets worse. THREAD 1/
Reuters: https://t.co/TBAoeIW6aA pic.twitter.com/n8zITfDGMD
— Natalia Krapiva 👩🏻💻🏠 (@natynettle) September 17, 2021
It indeed gets worse:
2/ The app @Google & @Apple just shut down helped Russians that disagree with Putin find candidates to vote for.
The very definition of democratic process.
Both companies knew it.
For once, Putin was afraid too.
Story: @antontroian @INechepurenkohttps://t.co/gOwE2cwYR5 pic.twitter.com/jt3h2JCf2P
— Natalia Krapiva 👩🏻💻🏠 (@natynettle) September 17, 2021
3/ Russia has tried everything to get the app pulled.
A spurious trademark lawsuit, legal threats…@Google and @Apple knew exactly what was going on.
And, until this morning, they resisted.
Story: @craigtimberg @RobynDixon__
@ReedAlbergottihttps://t.co/NxMONUKlVl pic.twitter.com/5yH5IrH7lY— Natalia Krapiva 👩🏻💻🏠 (@natynettle) September 17, 2021
4/ Worse: after pulling the real voting guide app, @Apple is *keeping* impostor apps.
Russians headed to the polls are now unwittingly installing apps that may put them in immediate danger. pic.twitter.com/rNI1SzamrL
— Natalia Krapiva 👩🏻💻🏠 (@natynettle) September 17, 2021
5/ Clearly, @Apple and @Google took this decision under pressure.
But the companies owe the Russian people an explanation.
— Natalia Krapiva 👩🏻💻🏠 (@natynettle) September 17, 2021
At the absolute least.
6/ @apple, I can't believe I need to say this but even in Russia, voting is not criminal behavior.
Pic: Apple's correspondence to the App developers (via @christogrozev ) pic.twitter.com/BVlFCFINzU
— Natalia Krapiva 👩🏻💻🏠 (@natynettle) September 17, 2021
Russia’s threats are unacceptable under international law.@apple & @Google understandably want to protect their staff.
But they ALSO have an obligation to be transparent about decisions that affect millions of users.
By @maxseddon & @madhumita29https://t.co/5QArUN4FVG pic.twitter.com/S5bwsnK6BJ
— Natalia Krapiva 👩🏻💻🏠 (@natynettle) September 17, 2021
Putin's spokesman applauds @Apple and @Google's deleting of @navalny-linked apps. pic.twitter.com/q6rxEcomHp
— Christo Grozev (@christogrozev) September 17, 2021
8/ And here you have it, Putin's people now praising @Apple & @Google.👇
By quietly deleting the apps, companies ceded the narrative to the government.
Truth that they should say: the orders violated international law & were enforced through duress https://t.co/CLZbV8YrwM
— Natalia Krapiva 👩🏻💻🏠 (@natynettle) September 17, 2021
Oh, we have no doubt that Team Putin is very pleased. Congratulations to Apple and Google for landing a spot on Vladimir Putin’s Nice List.
If you wanted another reason to hate Apple and Google, they don’t just censor the right in the US, they’re happy to bow to Putin abroad. https://t.co/Jhtix75cYW
— Inez Stepman ⚪️🔴⚪️ (@InezFeltscher) September 17, 2021
Gross.
