23 February 2025
Request for Apple’s Attention Regarding the Misuse of Its 1984 Advertisement by Viktor Orbán

Dear Apple Team,

We, as Hungarian citizens, write to express our dismay at the recent reinterpretation of Apple’s iconic 1984 advertisement by Viktor Orbán’s staff. The original Apple ad—inspired by George Orwell’s cautionary tale of authoritarianism—symbolized innovation, freedom, and inclusivity. Orbán’s version recasts Ursula von der Leyen as a dictatorial figure threatening Hungary’s EU funding over LGBTQ rights, a message we emphatically do not support. We do not wish to be associated with totalitarianism, nor do we endorse the propaganda our prime minister is actively using against citizens.

facebook.com/orbanviktor/videos/616730627659848/...

Apple has consistently championed human rights and open-mindedness—values diametrically opposed to this propagandist misuse. We respectfully request Apple’s review of possible legal or public actions to address this troubling appropriation. Such a clear response would further strengthen Apple’s longstanding commitment to human rights and emphasize that Hungarians reject the dictatorial undertones in this misuse of the 1984 advertisement.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Attila Györffy and fellow Hungarian citizens

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