Hugely Offensive Ad Declares Apple is Hitler [Image]

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Posted March 27, 2015 at 5:33pm by iClarified

Jia Yueting, billionaire CEO founder of Chinese video site Leshi TV, has declared Apple as Hitler in an offensive ad posted to his Weibo page. The ad features Adolf Hitler wearing a red armband with the Apple logo in place of the Nazi swastika, notes The Verge.

Hugely Offensive Ad Declares Apple is Hitler [Image]

The poster's text reads "Crowdsourced, Freedom vs. Arrogance, Tyranny". Yueting's Weibo post argues that Apple is stifling innovation and harming the interests of users.

"Under the arrogant regime of iOS domination that developers around the world love yet hate, we are always carefully asking, 'is this kind of innovation okay?'" writes Yueting. He goes on to say that Apple is a "dusk empire" — a metaphor for something which is dying — while the image depicts two contrasting paths for the industry. The outline of the phone in the background with open doors matches leaked images of LeTV's upcoming LeTV X900 smartphone.

Whether you agree with Yueting's criticisms or not, the comparison of Apple to a dictator responsible for World War II, the Holocaust, and the death of more than 50 million people is inexcusable. It's quite shocking that a company would use this type of imagery in its marketing material. Ironically, the tight security measures implemented in iOS likely protect the privacy of many Chinese citizens from the country's communist dictatorship.

Apple has yet to comment on the ad. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

Read More [via Verge]

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gaurav - March 28, 2015 at 12:56am

ironic Chinese article talking about freedom!apple is not forced you to do something

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NoGoodNick - March 27, 2015 at 10:06pm

It doesn't take much brains to compare anything to Hitler, as everyone does it to denote anything at all they disagree with. Don't like the new watermelon flavored potato chips? Don't simply avoid them, instead declare the companies CEO the newest Hitler. Such accusations are mindless and reveal a complete absence of creativity.

1maxuk - March 27, 2015 at 9:55pm

Well spotted. Yes it's rude. The advert is very immature.

1maxuk - March 27, 2015 at 9:47pm

I was both born and educated in China. In these images no Apple or iPhone was mentioned. We read too deep. If they were comparing Apple to Hitler I still could not see anything wrong. They only use Hitler as a symbol of closeness.

gamerscul9870 - March 27, 2015 at 9:52pm

The logo is the red wristband. It's a disgrace. Apple is the exact opposite of hitlet. Instead of killing, Apple helped the world. Instead oblivioning stuff, Apple rebuild and improves places. The guy who made this is what defies hitlet. Comparing an innocent creative company that has shaped our world for years to this?cthey have no soul.

gamerscul9870 - March 27, 2015 at 8:42pm

You're the devil while Samsung plays satin.

Mr Logical - March 27, 2015 at 6:28pm

I think the point of this article is not about taking side regarding the issue of Apple integrity as a company. But rather is trying to point out that comparing anyone to Hitler and a Nazi is offensive and unwarranted even when it is meant as an insult to an enemy. It is a politically incorrect no-go zone akin to insulting one's parents. However, Asian countries and communities in general simply don't feel the same sensibilities compare to the western world about Nazi and the holocaust, as the European theater of the war was simply too impersonal for them to relate. What is regarded politically correct is different across regions and culture so there is no point in blaming the other for not understanding your own. Instead more communication and interaction is the key to a better world. However, as a billionaire CEO, I do think this guy has the responsibility to hire a team of more worlds advisors and publicists to ensure a blunder think this don't happen again

iProService - March 28, 2015 at 4:30am

Very well said.

mark time - March 27, 2015 at 6:27pm

China: bastion of free speech and human rights. The ongoing ad campaign will feature Stalin, Mao (pending government approval), Mussolini, and Kim Jong Il, with a cameo by his little-me son, Kim Jong Un. I suppose it makes sense that when it comes to competition in the free market, a Chinese entrepreneur easily falls back on the tactics that have for so long insured the continuation of the Chinese state itself-- propaganda and disinformation in place of fact-based debate.

DJLsb Vapes - March 27, 2015 at 6:07pm

Hitler, not Hilter

stevenlacross - March 27, 2015 at 5:49pm

I think this is pretty accurate, at least as far as Steve jobs was

I think you need a reality check. That's saying a lot about how mislead this is.