Roger Fingas
Apple's new red options for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus — which, through (Red), will contribute proceeds to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS — lack that same charity branding on the company's Chinese website. [Updated with comment by CEO Tim Cook]
Logos present on the U.S. and even Taiwanese websites are conspicuously missing in China, TechCrunch observed. It's unclear if the company is avoiding donations of Chinese proceeds, or simply concealing the fact.
It may be trying to avoid any controversy surrounding AIDS, given widespread criticism of the Chinese government's handling of the illness. Police have sometimes even engaged in crackdowns of organizations working in AIDS prevention, so openly supporting (Red) could theoretically be seen as confrontational, especially since state-owned businesses have been hesitant to participate in AIDS initiatives.
In November Apple did issue a Chinese press release supporting (Red), but even other products that would normally carry the branding — such as iPhone cases or the iPod touch — are currently missing it.
The company may be concerned about appeasing the government, given that it has not only dealt with online store closures and censorship, but is facing incoming data laws that will for instance require it to provide technical support in investigations. The company could theoretically be forced to create backdoors into its software if it wants to remain in the lucrative Chinese market.
The (Product)Red iPhones will go on sale this Friday, starting at $749 for a 128-gigabyte iPhone 7 and $869 for an equivalent 7 Plus. Until now, Apple has never supported (Red) through any of its flagship devices.
Update: On the issue of whether Chinese proceeds will go to the Global Fund, Apple CEO Tim Cook told MacRumors that this will happen "on every iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus we sell in every country in the world."
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
Oliver Haslam
17 Comments
poor Samsung, Apple beat them to the color red....remember they came out out with that ugly blue topaz color that Apple was rumored to have 2 years ago
Apple is sensitive to local culture/politics while helping for good cause. Besides that many Chinese company owners getting very rich but lacking attitude to charity. Same problem in India and rest of world.
the meaning behind the color red in china according to wiki:
Red, corresponding with fire, symbolizes good fortune and joy. Red is found everywhere during Chinese New Year and other holidays and family gatherings. A red envelope is a monetary gift which is given in Chinese society during holiday or special occasions. The red color of the packet symbolizes good luck. Red is strictly forbidden at funerals as it is a traditionally symbolic color of happiness;[1] however, as the names of the dead were previously written in red, it may be considered offensive to use red ink for Chinese names in contexts other than official seals.
I wish media outlets would wait a little longer to discover the real reason, rather than rely on speculation like this. It has nothing to do with China's conservative culture and views on AIDS. There are plenty of AIDS-related charities in China as well, and Apple had Product Red iPods in mainland China years ago as well. The real reason is, on January 1, 2017, it became illegal for non-profit NGOs to engage in or fund for-profit activities. So, for-profit corporations, like Apple, can no longer release products co-branded by a non-profit.