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I agree the question of whether Apple was compelled by whatever government (or if they did this voluntarily) has implications on the ethics of these decisions. They may genuinely have no choice.

But I don’t see how it affects the question of whether Apple’s privacy assertions are trustworthy.

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>> They may genuinely have no choice.

There is a choice. Don't comply and have the CCP make you stop selling there.

Apple has no principles that can't be tossed aside in exchange for a large market - in other words a lot of money. This should not be unexpected.

Well put. Perhaps it’s cynical, I think that’s true of any corporation of Apple’s size: their only true principle is to maximize shareholder value.

The best we can do as privacy-concerned mere-mortals is to take our business where those profit incentives align with our values. Apple’s put a lot of work into advertising that their profits are aligned with values of privacy, but some signs say otherwise.

You shouldn't expect privacy from a third party. You'll be disappointed by definition.

The CCP would make Apple stop manufacturing in China, which would effectively mean that they couldn't sell anything anywhere. Apple does have very deep pockets, but that would be an existential threat.

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