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Apple is "aggressively" cracking down on apps created by Iranian developers for users in Iran in an effort to comply with U.S. sanctions, reports The New York Times.
Apple does not offer its products in Iran, nor is there an Iranian App Store, but there are still millions of iPhones in the country that have been smuggled in from places like Dubai and Hong Kong. Iranian developers have created thousands of apps for these users, offering them in other App Stores outside of Iran.
The New York Times said Apple on Thursday removed Snapp, a popular app for an Uber-like ride hailing service that is popular in Iran. Many apps for food delivery, shopping, and other services have also been pulled over the course of the last few weeks.
Iranian developers who have been affected by the ban are being given the following message:
"Under the U.S. sanctions regulations, the App Store cannot host, distribute or do business with apps or developers connected to certain U.S. embargoed countries."
An Apple spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the message Iranian app developers are receiving, but declined to comment further on the matter.
In January, Apple started removing iOS apps originating in Iran from the App Store, and in February, told Iranian developers to remove any payment options from their apps in order to stop Iranian money from entering the United States. The more expansive removal of Iranian apps follows these initial efforts and comes on the heels of a new sanctions bill President Trump signed into law earlier this month.
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Top Rated Comments
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Sanctions are dumb. They always hit regular people the most and barely do any harm to governments.
The US knows this. The point is to put the people through so much pain and death that they revolt. The US then funds terrorist groups involved in the revolt they created, and ousts the government in favour of one that agrees to giving in to corporate America's agenda.I just don't see how are country-wide sanctions (or boycotts, or anything of that sort) going to do any good for anyone: the citizens aren't the people who run the country, and therefore shouldn't suffer from whatever conflict there is with the government.
Let’s be honest here. Our own government doesn't give a lick about collateral damage, be it unrest, civilian casualties, or beating a weak country to death because we can’t go after ones we aren’t sure we can handle. It’s sad, but the American electorate frankly doesn’t care because as long as they can pound their chests once in a while and self-absolve their complicity on Sundays it gives them/us a sense of purpose and strength. Will it change? Probably not. It would help if people would just be honest about the people we see in our mirrors, though.That being said, considering the iPhone not only isn't sold there but Apple's services are completely unavailable there either, I think removing those apps is a justifiable action.
iOS gatekeeper would be one.
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I guess we could just just bombs
Yes, for the US is either sanctions or bombs...that's the problemGosh, imagine supporting something like this. Poor Iranians.
Indeed.I do not understand why the US and allies insist on pushing that country back into the medieval age.
And then when the inevitable **** hits the fan, the Yanks stand around and ask, "But why don't you love us? Why do you do this to us?"
FFS.