BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Apple’s and Google’s cooperation with the Russian government’s efforts to suppress an app opposed to the ruling regime is escalating concerns about whether Big Tech’s pursuit of ever-higher profits has trampled their commitment to protecting civil rights.
The debate is being spurred by last week’s abrupt removal of a voting app organizing opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both Apple and Google expunged the Smart Voting app from their respective app stores in Russia after being repeatedly warned that it was breaking that country’s laws.
That galled supporters of free elections and raised worries other government leaders will resort to similar tactics.