ARTICLE 19, GreatFire and Fight For The Future are organizing an online event for the release of the report titled "Isolation by Design: Censorship in Apple's App Store in China and Human Rights Implications." This report, produced by GreatFire’s AppleCensorship.com (now part of The App Censorship Project) in collaboration with ARTICLE 19 ASIA, is made within the framework of the Engaging Tech for Freedom (ETIF) project. The event will take place on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 12:30 PM UTC.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, June 20, 2024
- Time: 12:30 PM UTC (30 to 40 min)
- Platform: Zoom
Agenda:
1. Presentation of the Report:
Michael Caster, Asia Digital Programme Manager at ARTICLE 19, will moderate the event and introduce the report, as well as the "Engaging Tech for Internet Freedom" project, under which the report was developed. “Although Apple’s human rights policy promises a ‘deep sense of responsibility to make technology for people that respects their human rights [and] empowers them with useful tools and information,’ with this report yet again we see how Apple’s supposed commitments to free expression and privacy are empty words when it comes to China,” he said. “We need more documentation on US tech company complicity to Chinese censorship and surveillance, and new models for accountability. This report is an invaluable contribution.”
Benjamin Ismail, Director of the AppleCensorship Project and member of GreatFire, will present the key findings of the report. Benjamin Ismail will discuss how the findings reveal Apple's role as a collaborator with an authoritarian regime, citing specific instances of app unavailability and censorship in China's App Store. "The data shows a significant digital isolation of Chinese users, with categories such as News, Books, and Social Networking being disproportionately targeted. This points to a troubling compliance by Apple with Chinese government demands, further entrenching state censorship," he notes. "More than two thirds of the most downloaded apps worldwide, are simply unavailable to Chinese users. This kind of digital isolation underscores the severity of the issue."
2. Discussion on Regulatory Framework:
Evan Greer, Director of Fight For The Future (FFTF), will talk about the need for policy changes and a new regulatory framework to regulate Big Tech companies like Apple. Evan Greer will emphasize the urgency for U.S. lawmakers to enact stringent regulations. "Big Tech companies have too much power, and they’re abusing that power in ways that undermine human rights across the globe. The findings of this report underscore the need for legislation now to ensure companies like Apple aren’t able to censor and restrict apps when operating in authoritarian environments," Evan Greer asserts. "Apple's willingness to comply with such restrictive measures highlights the critical need for new laws that protect digital freedoms and human rights."
3. Q&A Session:
An interactive session where attendees can pose their questions to the speakers.
Why Attend:
This event provides a unique opportunity to gain insights into the complex landscape of app censorship in China, understand the broader human rights implications, and explore actionable recommendations for policymakers. Your participation will contribute to a more informed and dynamic discussion on the future of digital rights and regulatory measures.
Key Findings from the Report:
- Among the 100 most downloaded apps worldwide, only four are also among the most downloaded in China’s App Store, all of which are Chinese.
- 66 out of the 108 most downloaded apps worldwide (61%) were found unavailable to Chinese iOS users. This number has recently increased.
- In contrast, only 8 apps (7%) were unavailable in the U.S. App Store.
- Categories such as Games, Utilities, Education, Entertainment, and Lifestyle are proportionally represented in the list of unavailable apps in China, aligning with their prevalence in the App Store. However, News, Books, and Social Networking categories are disproportionately unavailable, suggesting targeted censorship.
- Sensitive categories like VPNs, Privacy & Digital Security, LGBTQ+ & Dating, News & Information, Social Media & Communication, Tibet & Buddhism, Uyghur, and Religion apps are particularly affected by censorship in China.
Recent Developments:
Adding to the report's urgency, recent actions by Apple have intensified the conversation about digital freedom and censorship. As of April 19, 2024, Apple has removed widely-used apps such as WhatsApp and Instagram from its China App Store, citing national security concerns in line with the Chinese government's stringent regulations. This move significantly updates the situation outlined in the report's section on "The Isolation of Chinese Users," illustrating an increasing trend of digital isolation for Chinese iOS users and creating even more barriers for foreign journalists and other members of civil society who used to access these apps via a VPN.
RSVP
To receive the link to participate in the event, please confirm your attendance by sending an email to at least one of the following email addresses by Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
We look forward to your participation in this critical discussion.
Benjamin Ismail,
Project Director, The App Censorship Project
[email protected]
GreatFire.org
Michael Caster,
Asia Digital Programme Manager,
[email protected]
ARTICLE 19
Svetlana Zens
ETIF Programm Manager
Fight for the Future
Evan Greer, she/her
Director
[email protected]
