高中英语阅读理解专题训练.pdf

Comprehension A Big Tech companies that operate around the world have long promised to follow local laws and protect civil rights while doing business. These two aims sometimes conflict. When Apple and Google recently agreed to remove an app at the request of the Russian government, it raised worries. It appears that the companies are more concerned with making money than protecting democratic rights.The app is called Smart Voting. It was a tool for organizing political opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin before the elections last weekend. The ban has been sharply criticized by supporters of free elections and democracy.Natalia Krapiva is with Access Now, an internet freedom group. This is bad news for democracy and dissent all over the world, she said. We expect to see other dictators copying Russias tactics.Technology companies that offer services like searches, social media and apps have long been in conflict with less-democratic countries. Apple, Google and other large companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook have grown stronger over the past decade. But government efforts in many countries to use that power for their own purposes has also grown.Sascha Meinrath is a professor at Pennsylvania State University and studies online censorship. He said the act was a great symbol of political oppression. He added that Google and Apple have increased the chances of something similar happening again.Neither Apple nor Google answered interview requests from The Associated Press.Google also denied access to documents on its online service Google Docs that listed candidates supported by Smart Voting. YouTube blocked similar videos. 1. It appears that the companies are more making money than protecting democratic rights. 2. Technology companies that offer services like searches, so