Apple refuses to engrave ‘liberate’ protest slogan on Hong Kong customer’s Apple Pencil

Apple has reportedly turned down a buyer’s request to engrave a protest slogan on a newly purchased Apple Pencil.

The shopper, alias Mr. Chan, instructed Apple Daily that he bought a name from an Apple worker on Wednesday saying that their “higher-ups didn’t approve” of his proposed inscription, “Liberate HKERS.”

When Chan pressed for the rationale behind this ban, the worker repeated that the choice got here from their higher-ups they usually have been merely following orders to contact the shopper.

Chan mentioned he ordered an Apple Pencil on Oct. 27 and was anticipating its supply in the present day. However he bought an e-mail from Apple yesterday asking him to supply his telephone quantity in order that staff may get in contact with him.

As a self-described “loyal Apple fan,” Chan mentioned he was dissatisfied by the corporate’s choice. He mentioned “liberate HKERS” was a “impartial phrase” and questioned their disregard of Hongkongers’ proper to free speech.

“They didn’t even ship me an e-mail as a result of they didn’t need it written down in black and white,” Chan mentioned.

He additionally emailed Apple asking them to elucidate the incident and make clear their requirements for personalized inscriptions, which the corporate presents free with the acquisition of merchandise together with AirPods and iPads.

Coconuts reached out to Apple for remark however has not heard again on the time of writing.

This isn’t the primary time Apple is alleged to have silenced assist for the town’s pro-democracy motion.

In August, managers reportedly  banned employees from wearing lanyards with Memojis–or customizable emoji characters–with yellow or black equipment. Yellow masks or ones with the phrase “Hong Kong” on them have been additionally not allowed, activist Joshua Wong mentioned.

Subscribe to The Coconuts Podcast for high trending information and popular culture from Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.