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Big Tech firms have long attracted criticism for cooperating with authoritarian governments to censor the internet.
The situation is much worse with Apple."
US authorities have also issued more than 12,000 takedown requests to Google since 2011, but the company published details for less than 40 of these –The Observer could reveal.
This is exactly what the Russian government has long tried to prevent.
Around100 VPN apps have disappeared from Russia’s Apple App Storeso far.
Among these,Apple killed over 60 applicationsbetween July and October last year alone.
US authorities have also issued more than 12,000 takedown requests to Google since 2011, but the company published details for less than 40 of these –The Observer could reveal.
Within 3 hours, the system was no longer available on the Russian App Store."
Indeed, Google has often complied with the Kremlin’s removal orders, too.
Nonetheless, in Darbinyan’s experience, Google appeared more willing to find a balanced solution whenever possible.
Something that didn’t occur with Apple.
The Russian example also shows transparency is key to navigating content removal and blocking orders.
Besides better transparency, though, can Big Tech actually refuse to comply with content removal requests?
According to experts, yes these companiescanandshould.
For Proton, Big Tech should also stop prioritizing business over people’s rights.
“A single decision can have massive consequences for people,” said Peterson.
“When Big Tech prioritizes profits over freedom, entire countries risk being cut off from the world.”
