Bill Maher Goes Off On Smartphones, Claims They Make People "Bullies"

BY Erika Marie 1.7K Views
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Bill Maher
After calling out Apple, the talk show host ranted about smartphones making people "angrier, more vitriolic, more racist."

They have been a leading force in the technology game for decades but not everyone is a fan of Apple's products. Bill Maher took to his show to blast the popular iPhone company following the news that they would be implementing new policies, including scanning phones to crack down on child pornography.

While this on the surface seems like a move that would be accepted by the masses, many find this to be a strategic invasion of privacy. In a world filled with conspiracy theories and distrust of governments, Maher is unenthused with the news and took to his show to vent.

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Maher called Apple's decision a “blatant constitutional breach," adding "Our phones should be like our wallets or purses: private. What about probable cause? What about the 4th Amendment?”

Then, Maher extended his displeasure to include all users of smartphones. “Apple should admit that the problem with their phones isn’t just what people store on them. It’s that they make people into assh*les,” he said. “No other device has ever commanded our attention the way a smartphone does.”

“Phones make people live fake lives,” Maher added. It is unclear if he has a smartphone of his own. “It’s more important to get a picture of you having a good time than actually having a good time... Phones make people bullies. Angrier. More vitriolic. More racist online than they would ever dream of being if they had to say those things to someone’s face. The phone made us passive-aggressive to our friends and hyper-aggressive to total strangers. Even texting is too confrontational now for most people. We don’t engage with our friends. We just walk away...just ghost them.

The internet responded by telling Maher that he was incorrect with his assessment about Apple's new policy while saying that he should have directed his remarks to social media users, not people with smartphones. Check out a few responses below.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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