Apple Removes Police-Tracking App Used By Hong Kong Protesters

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Apple has changed its mind again and removed a police-tracking app that was being used by protesters in Hong Kong. Earlier in the month, Apple rejected the crowdsourcing app, HKmap.live, but decided last week it would approve the app.

The decision to allow HKmap.live in its app store angered Chinese officials, who blasted the tech company in the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily.

Apple said the decision to pull the app was based on reports that the protesters were using it to ambush police officers.

"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 victimize residents in areas where they know there is no law enforcement," Apple said in a statement.

A Twitter account for HKmap.live said they disagree with Apple's decision and claim that there is no evidence the app is being used to target police officers.

There is 0 evidence to support CSTCB's accusation that HKmap App has been used to target and ambush police, threaten public safety, and criminals have used it to victimize residents in areas where they know there is no law enforcement.

While the app is no longer available for download, it still works for people who downloaded it before it was pulled. There is also a web-based version of the app that works on iPhones.

Photo: Getty Images


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