Apple's Power Exceeds Most Nations: A Problem?

The U.K. and Apple: A Complex Relationship

As a British writer focusing on a U.S.-based audience, I often find myself in a position of mixed feelings when it comes to how the United Kingdom is portrayed in tech media. While references to figures like Tim Berners-Lee or companies such as ARM are common, there's a tendency for stories to focus on more controversial topics—like unchecked surveillance or misguided AI hype. There's more to the U.K. than just pop culture and historical dramas, but not all of its aspects are positive.

Recently, I found myself writing an article about the U.K. after sources suggested that Keir Starmer’s government had abandoned its efforts to break Apple’s iCloud encryption. This issue dates back to January when the Home Office issued a “technical capability notice” demanding access to content uploaded to the cloud by Apple’s global users. However, Apple refused, and it seems this refusal will stand.

It's unusual to see a developed and prosperous nation be outmaneuvered by a corporation. It feels wrong, and as a general rule, it sets a dangerous precedent if a company can easily defy the wishes of a democratically elected government. In this case, the government's plan was questionable, with concerns raised about compromising the security of over two billion users. Moreover, the plan was implemented through a secret order. Despite these issues, I remain cautious about celebrating this outcome as a win.

Apple is not an ethically driven organization, despite what it might want us to believe. Its primary goal is profit, and it typically achieves this by creating quality products and ensuring a good user experience. In this particular instance, the interests of humans and the company coincided because users don’t want their data compromised, and Apple doesn’t want bad PR from allowing that to happen.

However, there are other instances where Apple's interests have not aligned with those of its users. For example, its poor environmental record and the removal of certain apps in China show that Apple follows the money. Decisions of this nature should ideally be made by politicians, who may be flawed but are at least accountable to the public, rather than by companies motivated by profit and answerable only to shareholders.

As one of the most valuable companies in history, Apple has significant influence. Its annual marketing budget exceeds that of many countries’ military budgets. Many nations allow it to pay minimal taxes while overseas suppliers compete to offer favorable treatment, as Apple plays off different regions against each other.

Apple invests heavily in legal counsel and political lobbying. It pushes hard to interpret laws in its favor and, if necessary, tries to change them. While this isn't unique to Apple, the scale of its political power is. Apple can be tamed, especially in its home country, where it has fewer options. It cannot easily shift profits or withdraw investment, and it cannot simply remove a product from sale due to the size of the market.

The U.S. is a special case, but other regions provide better examples of how countries can counteract Apple's power. The EU, for instance, has managed to get Apple to switch from Lightning to USB-C, launch a self-repair program, and offer a version of iOS that allows sideloading. While Apple often does as it pleases, the EU has shown it can enforce changes that benefit users.

The key to keeping Apple and other multinational corporations in check is for countries to present a unified front. Apple might withdraw from smaller markets, but not the entire EU. Bloc negotiations give regulators the power to enforce changes that benefit users, even if they aren't always perfect.

For the U.K., the situation is more complicated, especially after leaving the EU in 2020. Now, Apple can ignore its governmental policies, but it's likely a coincidence.

Apple Breakfast: Weekly Roundup

Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too.

Trending: Top Stories

Roman Loyola raises a gloomy question: Does the Mac even matter anymore? Apple’s public betas are here—and they’re nothing but trouble. Alex Blake has been testing macOS Tahoe for weeks. Here are the five features he can’t live without. Apple hasn’t made anything insanely great since the AirPods. Why? Blame AI, says the Macalope.

Maximize iCloud+!

Here are 5 tips and tricks you need to start using right now. The best accessory Michael Simon ever bought for his MacBook can be yours for $20.

Podcast of the Week

We’ve been hearing about a folding iPhone for years, but it seems like it’s going to be a reality, based on the reports that have become more persistent recently. So in episode 943 of the DISCOVER TREND podcast, we talk about the latest developments in the folding iPhone saga.

Reviews Corner

• Ugreen NASync DXP series review: NAS newbie brings great design and intuitive software.
• UnifyDrive UT2 review: Fantastically versatile portable NAS.
• OWC Thunderbolt 5 Dock review: A Goldilocks docking station.
• Ugreen MagFlow Qi2 2-in-1 review: Practical travel charging station.

The Rumor Mill

The M5 iPad Pro will reportedly get a clever but unexpected upgrade. Report: iOS 27 will have Apple’s first folding iPhone features. Odd iOS 26 phrasing hints at new HomePod with screen.

Video of the Week

A cheap MacBook powered by an iPhone chip? All is revealed in our latest short. Catch all our short-form video on TikTok.

Software Updates, Bugs, and Problems

The iOS 26 public beta is here, but you probably shouldn’t install it yet. What happened to Launchpad in macOS Tahoe, wonders Roman Loyola. iOS 26 finally takes the shackles off copying text in Messages. You can now answer phone calls on your Apple TV, but there’s a catch.

And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters, including our new email from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous take on the latest news and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, or X for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.