Russian State TV Head Compares Steve Jobs to Hitler

Konstantin Ernst, the CEO of Channel One, one of Russia’s leading state broadcasters, has controversially equated Apple co-founder Steve Jobs with Adolf Hitler, citing the societal impact of the iPhone as a significant concern.

According to Russian media, Moscow Times, during a recent symposium titled “Creating the Future” in Moscow, Ernst criticized the iPhone, calling it “extremely harmful and monstrous for humanity” for its role in eroding human connections.

Ernst expressed his belief that the iPhone has contributed to a decline in personal interactions, stating that people now opt for phone calls over in-person visits.

He remarked, “Nowadays, you don’t visit your parents, you call them. Sometimes this allows you to not visit them for months or even years,” adding that communication with friends has similarly diminished to text messages, which he characterized as less ethical than direct conversation.

In a recent statement, Ernst declared that Jobs belongs in a “chain of characters” that includes Hitler, suggesting a parallel between the technological changes brought about by the iPhone and detrimental effects on social relationships.

This statement comes in the context of a Kremlin directive that reportedly advised its internal policy staff, including those involved in President Vladimir Putin’s 2024 re-election campaign, against using iPhones due to concerns over espionage. Despite these warnings, it was acknowledged that approximately 30% of personnel within the presidential administration continue to use iPhones for personal communication.

Ernst, who is under European Union sanctions for his role in promoting anti-Ukrainian propaganda, has been a prominent figure in Russian media. An investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in 2021 linked him to a billion-dollar real estate deal in Moscow, which the Kremlin has dismissed as unfounded.