Not So Fast on That Washington Post Report That Apple Is Lobbying Against the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, who reports on China for Axios, on Twitter:

According to sources I have spoken to with knowledge of the matter, this Washington Post story does not accurately characterize Apple’s position on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

It is not accurate to say that Apple’s aim is to water down key provisions of the bill, and it is not accurate to characterize Apple as lobbying against the bill.

(And no, the sources I am citing are not a strident email from Apple’s PR department).

Reed Albergotti, the Washington Post reporter for the story claiming Apple is lobbying to “water down” the bill, has long seemed to have an axe to grind against “big tech” companies, and Apple in particular, so I’d take his report with an extra grain of salt now that Allen-Ebrahimian has thrown cold water on it.

★ Monday, 23 November 2020