“iPhone Owners Are Apple’s Digital Slaves”
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, strongly criticizes Apple and the iPhone. He calls iPhones “medieval” devices and thinks they are expensive for the quality Apple provides in return. He goes so far as to say that Apple goes hand in hand with the communist regime in China.
Criticism of Apple
In an article in The New York Times, Apple is accused of cooperating with the Chinese government that keeps an eye on citizens’ phones. Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov refers to the article in a post on his channel, then fires a volley of fierce criticism on Apple’s behalf.
“Apple is very good at pursuing its business model, which is based on selling overpriced, obsolete hardware to consumers trapped in the ecosystem,” he wrote in his post after the man said he was not surprised by The New York Times article.
Digital slaves
Durov says he feels like he’s being catapulted back to the Middle Ages every time he uses an iPhone to test Telegram’s iOS app. He also gives the 60 Hz screen as an example that is still used in the iPhone. Many Android devices, including phones from the low price segment, already work with 120 Hz panels that display smoother animations.
“The worst part isn’t the clunkier devices or outdated hardware. If you own an iPhone, you become Apple’s digital slave,” said Telegram’s chief executive. You are only allowed to install the apps that Apple makes available in the App Store and you can only use Apple’s iCloud to back up your data. “
Durov concludes by saying that with all these characteristics, it is no wonder that Apple’s “totalitarian approach” is to the liking of the Chinese Communist Party. And that that party now has control over all apps and data of citizens who use an iPhone.
Privacy labels
Apple has put its focus on privacy in the spotlight in recent years, including by refusing to break into a suspect’s iPhone for terrorism offenses at the request of the police. The company also recently proposed privacy labels that warn app users about the data apps collect. Google even wants to take over those labels for its Play Store, but Apple does not seem to be continuing the same line in China.
What do you think of Durov’s harsh words? Do you think he is going too far with his criticism or do you agree with him? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of this article.
Image: meliesthebunny, CC BY-NC 2.0
