@rustyshelf China govt has teeth and will destroy Apple's production capacity if they push back. This is a direct threat to their business and thus something called "fiduciary responsibility" kicks in and literally requires their leadership to act in the interest of shareholders

The EU has no teeth. They have no way to hurt Apple enough without producing huge backlash. Once again "fiduciary responsibility" dictates that Apple do whatever they can to maximize shareholder profit, which means pushing back when they know they can

It sucks but until the EU figures out a way to really hold Apple's feet to the fire, the law requires this response

@zbrando @rustyshelf I'll believe it when I see it. And I expect the next two headlines to read "Apple closing all retail stores across Europe" and then "Consumers outraged over EU's Apple fiasco, demand accountability".

Because consumers don't care about alternative app stores. They just want their phones and laptops.

Apple has insane cash-on-hand and could easily outlast any such embargo, IMO

@neatchee @zbrando @rustyshelf Do you remember Apple switching their phone models to USB-C, starting with iPhone 15, worldwide?

If you believe that was their own decision, for the sake of their customers, you are wrong. They we forced into doing so, by EU's teeth.

If they did not obey, all their phone would have become illegal to sell in the EU. Maybe you think that was just bluff, but Apple did not, which is all that matters.

@elessar @zbrando @rustyshelf There is a huge difference between enforcing a universal technical standard on everyone and dictating what types of software must be available for a device

(Edited to clarify "types of software", not a particular program/app)

@elessar @zbrando @rustyshelf But that's not what this conversation was about. Go back to the OP I replied to. This is about Apple pushing back against the EU when they don't push back against China.

I'm trying to tell you all that it's because the Chinese government has shown to be a far greater potential threat to their business than the EU has, and all anyone wants to talk about is how "it's so easy, and reasonable, and they could just..., they should just ..."

Like, I get it, and I don't disagree, but that is not how businesses are run. Proof is in the pudding, as they say