Apple removes Hong Kong police-tracking app from store
By Caoimhe Toman
Date: Thursday 10 Oct 2019
(Sharecast News) - Apple removed the HKmap.live app from its store that allowed Hong Kong protesters to track police movements and the use of tear gas.
According to Quartz, the decision to remove the app was taken after "many concerned customers in Hong Kong contacted us", Apple said.
Apple claimed that the app violated its rules and had "been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents".
"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," the statement said.
The statement added that "criminals have used it to victimise residents in areas where they know there is no law enforcement".
Apple initially rejected distribution of the app despite which it later appeared on the App Store.
Chinese media responded sharply against the US tech giant. People's Daily said apple was "letting poisonous software have its way is a betrayal of the Chinese people's feelings."
A website version of the app still appeared to be active and could be downloaded through Google Play.
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