Apple on Thursday removed an app criticised by China for allowing protestors in Hong Kong to track police, as Beijing steps up pressure on foreign companies deemed to be providing support to the pro-democracy movement.
The tech giant’s pulling of HKmap.Live was blasted as bowing to China and comes as high-profile brands, including the NBA and its Houston Rockets franchise, come under pressure from communist authorities over perceived support for democracy demonstrations in the financial hub.
Chinese state media this week tore into the app, which collates information on police locations submitted by users, charging that it was helping “rioters”.