My concerns about companies like Apple and Google proactively capitulating to government demands (see postings here and here) have come to a head in recent weeks.  The day before this year's Russian presidential election, the Vladimir Putin-backed government threatened Apple and Google to remove a phone app used by a leading opposition party.  The obvious concern was not an issue of disseminating lies or unsubstantiated facts.  The opposition was using the app to help coordinate its supporters to vote for its candidate (or at least a candidate, not Vladimir).  Apple and Google's removal of the app is unacceptable.

Putin's Russia has a history of jailing or harming its opposition candidates.  While "illegal" applications should not be allowed on computer operating systems, "illegal" applications should not be defined simply because it's your opponents.  Its strikes against the fundamental basis of "free speech" is not stifled by a government.  Imagine if this occurred in the United States.  If a Democratic or Republican back government barred the speech of the other candidate in an election, there would be outrage . . . as it should be with Apple and Google's behavior in Russia.

Looking at the bigger picture: The concern is not just free speech. The problem is companies proactively violating our privacy rights, all in the name of anticipatory government compliance.  If it happens elsewhere, it could happen here. 

MTC.