Burma Campaign UK today accused Apple CEO of hypocrisy for announcing a partnership on racial equality and justice with the Southbank Centre, London, at the same time as hosting Apps controlled by the Burmese military which use racist language against the Rohingya minority, and which deny genocide.

The Burmese military is facing charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice and is being investigated for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.

Apple hosts apps for Burmese state-owned media, which are now under the control of the Burmese military, including MRTV.

Apple also hosts Apps for the Burmese military-owned Mytel mobile phone network, which helps to fund the Burmese military and the violations of international law which they commit. The Apps are a crucial part of the marketing strategy for Mytel, Apple host 8 of their Apps.

Apple also hosts a new social media App, OKPar, created by the military as part of its attempt to limit access to information from independent social media sources such as Facebook.

“Apple helps the Burmese military make money and helps the Burmese military spread lies and propaganda,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “For Tim Cook to come to the UK and claim to be supporting equality and justice while his company provides services to a military which committed genocide and rapes children shows staggering hypocrisy.”

Apple are on the Burma Campaign UK ‘Dirty List’ because of their provision of service to the Burmese military. https://burmacampaign.org.uk/take-action/apple/

Apple removed Russian state media Apps after the invasion of Ukraine but has kept on hosting Burmese military Apps. https://burmacampaign.org.uk/apple-removes-rt-and-sputnik-apps-but-keeps-myanmar-military-apps/

More information on Apple hosting the OKPar App is available here:

https://www.accessnow.org/myanmar-facebook-youtube-ban/

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