After Apple CEO Tim Cook’s announcement last week that he is gay, Russia declares they will ban retailers from selling the Apple iPhone and iPad devices starting from January,2015. Notably, this ban includes the latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. 

There is a rumour that this restriction is the result of Russia’s outlawing homosexuality.  Russia passed the LGBT propaganda law on June 11, 2013 which is supposed to protect children from information advocating for a denial of traditional family values.

According to phonearene.com, the real reason for the ban is that the iCloud has Russian authorities concerned. As a matter of fact, any device that has the  iCloud software inside is banned. The reason is that the Russia wants cloud data storage originating from Russia to stay only in Russia. 

China has the same concern as Russia. Back in September,2014, Shanghai government authorities banned the use of foreign smartphones, including iPhones,  for all the officials.

What all this means is that technology is a double-edged sword. When a tech company like Apple is trying to extend its market to other countries, it has to consider what impact it may have to those countries’ security. Although customers may love high-tech products, a country has to put its security concern first. 

References:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Report-Apple-iPhone-banned-in-Russia-starting-January-1st-2015_id62471

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/571776/20141105/apple.htm#.VFruN1PF-2Q

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/11/03/russian-monument-to-steve-jobs-taken-down-after-apple-ceo-cook-says-he-is-gay/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Russia

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