Apple’s Safari web browser has some filters to prevent users from accessing malicious websites, referred to as the “Fraudulent Website Warning.” In the United States and other countries, this warning is powered by the Google Safe Browsing service.
However, in China, these filters are managed by Tencent (a Chinese company), in addition to Google Safe Browsing. Now, Apple is expanding its use of Tencent Safe Browsing for websites from China to users in Hong Kong for the first time.
Apple’s Safari web browser adds Tencent ‘Safe Browsing’ in Hong Kong
According to a report by The Intercept, Safari users in Hong Kong are now being warned when they try to access certain websites. The message will tell users that the website they are trying to visit is a suspected phishing site. The user can then choose to abandon the website, learn more about the message, report an error to the Safe Browsing provider, or proceed to the site anyway.
Another thing to point out is that users can disable the Fraudulent Website Warning by going to Settings > Safari, then toggling off the Fraudulent Website Warning. Still, the changes in Hong Kong are raising concerns among users and activists.
Although internet access in mainland China has been heavily censored for decades, the situation was much better in Hong Kong until a new security law in 2020.
Software engineer and former Apple employee Chu Ka-cheong noticed on December 30 that websites like GitLab (an online platform for open-source code) had suddenly stopped opening. According to Safari, the content was blocked because the website had “unverified information.”
Top comment by Tom
And yet, the Great Tim Cook is the first to write open letters to leaders in the West complaining about the social issue of the hour, and any injustice he perceives, while, at the same time, staying compliantly silent in the face of complete and total Chinese oppression. Just love that hypocrisy, Mr. Cook! You’re such the social warrior.
“Access to GitLab was restored several days later, after the situation was brought to the company’s attention,” claims the report. Neither Apple nor Tencent explained why the website had been banned. Even though access to GitLab has been restored, it’s unclear how many other websites were affected or even why the censorship imposed by China was expanded to Hong Kong without explanation.
This also led to concerns about Apple complying to the Chinese government’s demands despite selling privacy as a built-in feature of its products and services.
Presumably people purchase Apple devices because they believe the company when they say that ‘privacy is a fundamental human right’. What they fail to add is *except if you are Chinese.
Apple says it is committed to free speech
Back in 2020, Apple released a formal statement pledging to fight for human rights and free speech after an investor group criticized the company for never taking a stand against China’s censorship demands. Earlier this year, Apple also promised to give more details why it removes some apps from the App Store. Still, it seems that little has changed in practice since then.
Read also:
- Apple’s relationship with China ‘untenable’ but will take 20 years to unravel
- Apple to restrict ‘Everyone’ option in AirDrop to 10 minutes in China
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