Apple is “assessing” a new Hong Kong security law that could make protest a crime, claims Bloomberg.
The newly passed National Security Law criminalizes acts of secession (breaking away from China), undermining power and authority of the government, the use of violence or intimidation, and collusion with foreign or external forces.
China says that it was return stability to Hong Kong, although critics of the new law worry that it will negatively affect freedom of speech and protest.
Police have arrested three people in Hong Kong after discovering a massive shipment of undeclared iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and assorted luxury items. The suspected smugglers were attempting to sneak the products into China to avoid paying tax on imports.
The South China Morning Post describes it as one of the “biggest hauls of electronic goods” in Hong Kong history. The total value of the tech products was $1 million. Other smuggled goods, including tech components and edible bird’s nests, were worth an extra $2.2 million.
Activist shareholders will use Apple’s annual meeting in 2020 to push Apple on why it removed a mapping app used by protesters in Hong Kong.
Beijing reportedly pressured Apple to remove the app from the App Store. At the time, Tim Cook defended Apple’s decision to pull the app after saying it had received “credible information” that the app was being used to help commit violence against individuals and property.
Making the iPhone in the United States is “not on the horizon,” Tim Cook said during an interview with ABC News Wednesday.
Cook gave the interview while visiting Apple’s Mac Pro factory in Austin, Texas, with President Donald Trump.
Prominent Hong Kong legislator and IT entrepreneur Charles Mok has warned that Apple risks becoming an accomplice for “censorship and oppression” in China.
In an open letter to Tim Cook, Mok referenced Apple’s removal of a recent app which allowed protesters to track the whereabouts of Hong Kong police. Tim Cook has defended the app’s removal, which came after Chinese state media criticized Apple for allowing it in the App Store.
Apple closed all Hong Kong stores early on Monday due to growing concerns over more violent protests.
The move came a day after police fired tear gas during a clash with thousands of antigovernment activists. Other businesses also closed their doors and sent staff home early.
Apple fans in Hong Kong will soon be able to add their Octopus transit cards to Apple Pay.
Support is “coming soon,” Octopus Cards Limited confirmed this week. It will allow you to use your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay for journeys and more with your transit card.
$120,000 of knockoff parts for iPhones and other handsets have been seized by customs officials in Hong Kong. The parts were being used to repair handsets sent in from countries including the United States, U.K. and Australia.
The director and manager of the company were arrested during a raid on the company’s offices in the city of Tuen Mun. The offices were being used as a workshop and warehouse. One hundred phones sent in for repairs were found onsite.
Apple’s HomePod speaker is finally set to launch in the second-most important market for the iPhone maker.
The Chinese version of Apple’s website was updated today announcing that the HomePod will finally land in Greater China during early 2019.
Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular capabilities is coming to two new locations, Hong Kong and Singapore, Apple has confirmed.
In Singapore, the Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE will be carried by Singtel, while those in Hong Kong will be able to choose between 1O1O and csl3 as their carrier. Apple has updated its website to show the addition of the two new markets, which brings the total number of markets with Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE to 12.
