Apple on Thursday removed a Hong Kong map application used by pro-democracy protesters, saying it endangered police, after China warned the US tech giant to drop the app.
According to a statement published by the makers of HKmap.live, Apple said “your app has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong”.
Apple removed https://t.co/m9BjdusGeC app from its App Store on Thursday after it sparked fury for protecting rioters in #HongKong or assisting them to ambush police pic.twitter.com/5dU91caZFr
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) October 10, 2019
The financial hub has been gripped by protests for four months, and there have been regular clashes between hardcore demonstrators and police.
#HongKong rioters harass private cars, intimidate residents https://t.co/le4XS5dMJl pic.twitter.com/InNVwHtDMy
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) October 9, 2019
Apple’s withdrawal of the application from its App Store follows an accusation from China’s state media that the app “obviously helps rioters”.
1. We disagree @Apple and @hkpoliceforce 's claim that HKmap App endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong.#HKmap #HKmaplive #HK #Censorship
— HKmap.live 全港抗爭即時地圖 HK Protest Live Map (@hkmaplive) October 10, 2019
An opinion piece in the People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, said on Wednesday: “Nobody wants to drag Apple into the lingering unrest in Hong Kong. But people have reason to assume that Apple is mixing business with politics, and even illegal acts.
“Apple has to think about the consequences of its unwise and reckless decision.”
Read more: YouTube removes channels targeting Hong Kong protests
HKmap.live published the App Store Review’s statement on its Telegram channel, which has more than 70,000 subscribers.
5. Most of the contents are user-generated, and we allow users to down vote for moderator review. Moderator will delete contents that "solicit, promote, or encourage criminal activity". Repeated attempt will be banned.
— HKmap.live 全港抗爭即時地圖 HK Protest Live Map (@hkmaplive) October 10, 2019
“The app displays police locations and we have verified with the Hong Kong Cybersecurity and Technology Crime Bureau that the app has been used to target and ambush police, threaten public safety, and criminals have used it to victimise residents in areas where they know there is no law enforcement,” the statement said.
“This use of your app has resulted in serious harm to these citizens.” The developer did not comment further.
AFP with additional input from GVS News Desk