Chinese state media on Tuesday accused Apple Inc of protecting “rioters” in Hong Kong and enabling illegal behaviour, after the US-based technology giant listed on its app store an application that tracks police activity in the city.
Apple had previously rejected the app, called HKmap.live, but reversed its decision on Friday and made the programme available for download from the iOS App Store on Saturday, according to the program’s developer.
It will be interesting to see if Apple bows to Chinese pressure and removes the application. Apple already bows to Chinese censorship, so I wouldn’t be surprised.
I’ve not seen the app. However, it sounds like it merely identifies hotspots in an ongoing conflict, so users can avoid them.
Unless the chinese state media *want* police-citizen violence to occur, why would they complain about this app? It seems like it’s actually providing a needed public service in attempting to preserve what little peace remains.