Cybersecurity
Apple Pulls App That Tracks Police Activity in Hong Kong
- HKmap.live showed real-time map of Hong Kong police activity
- Ban comes amid heightened sensitivity about China censorship
HKmap.live
Source: HKmap.live
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Apple Inc. pulled the plug on an app that shows police activity in Hong Kong, reversing course yet again as violent pro-democracy protests wrack the city.
The U.S. company said Thursday it decided to remove HKmap.live from its App Store after consulting with local authorities, because it could endanger law enforcement and city residents. That marks a return to its original position, where it initially rejected the app. After an outcry, the iPhone maker allowed it to run for a few days before Thursday’s decision. The see-sawing is unusual for Apple, which exercises rigid control over its app store, the foundation of its global iPhone ecosystem.