Apple is the most valuable company in the world and has a role in our lives like no other. From smartphones to smart watches, earbuds to computers, the technology it has popularized has revolutionized the modern age and reshaped our relationships with each other and our environment. But a company that started out as the cool underdog to Microsoft is now subsumed in a wave of controversies, facing a major backlash.
Business and Innovation
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Apple's journey from a $2 billion business in 1984 to the world's most valuable company began with kit computers for hobbyists and was propelled by revolutionary products like the iPod (2001) and iPhone (2007), which sold over 1 billion units worldwide.
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In 2010, Apple shifted billions in profits to Ireland, paying 1% or less in tax, prompting investigations by the EU and US Senate into tax avoidance strategies.
Ecosystem and Control
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Apple's ecosystem integrates products like iPhone, Apple Watch, and MacBook, creating a captive audience and making it difficult for non-Apple products to work seamlessly, raising concerns about anti-competitive practices.
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The App Store's 15-30% commission and control over app approval has led to antitrust scrutiny and criticism for gatekeeping, while compliance with Russian government pressure to remove opposition apps raises concerns about censorship.
Privacy and Security
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Apple's privacy marketing focuses on safety rather than actual protection, with the "Ask apps not to track" feature providing an illusion of security without preventing tracking by obscure data brokers and ad companies.
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Face ID technology raises concerns about data collection and surveillance, as facial recognition information can be transferred elsewhere, allowing for ready identification in crowds.
Sustainability and Ethics
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Apple's commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2030 conflicts with planned obsolescence strategies that artificially shorten product lifespans, making devices unfixable and forcing customers to buy new ones.
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Reports of 20-hour workdays, harmful chemical exposure, and a wave of suicides at Apple's factories in China have led to ongoing concerns about the company's labor practices and human rights record.