Apple removes 'not legal' Hong Kong police monitoring app

Apple has removed the HKmap Live from the App Store over legality concerns, but it is unclear if this was a decision made solely by Apple or one forced by the Chinese government.

The removed HKmap Live was an app intended to track police activity on the streets of Hong Kong. The objective was to allow users to avoid areas where protesters and police conflicts could potentially take place.

Apple has argued that the app may be used for evading the police. The developers went public with a quote from Apple that explained why the app was removed from the App Store.

"Your app contains content - or facilitates, enables, and encourages an activity - that is not legal ... Specifically, the app allowed users to evade law enforcement."@Apple assume our user are lawbreakers and therefore evading law enforcement, which is clearly not the case.
— HKmap.live (@hkmaplive) October 1, 2019

This was especially useful as increasing tensions have mounted between law enforcement officers and those protesting. The map also provides information for when police declare something an illegal assembly — meaning that the app could theoretically provide aid to the police by helping people avoid areas deemed as unlawful protests.

I can't stop tweeting because I'm so angry (this should be the site motto). Another thing the map shows is when police raise a blue flag for ILLEGAL ASSEMBLY. Wandering into this puts you in legal jeopardy, a potential 5-10 year jail sentence. And the police don't want you there!
— Pinboard (@Pinboard) October 2, 2019

Despite the fact that the app has been pulled from the App Store, there is still a live version available online.

32 Comments

airnerd 688 comments · 13 Years

About 5 years ago

So is Waze coming down next? It allows the same feature.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

This is what a global corporation has to deal with. How can Cook and company espouse all their liberal twaddle here in the U.S. but then turn around and kowtow to a totalitarian dictatorship in China? It’s the money, pure and simple. Apple and a plethora of American companies’ financial lives are completely dependent on China. Apple, who presents itself as a poster boy for peace, love, tolerance, diversity... and unicorns, turns out to be the biggest hypocrite on the planet when it comes to keeping the money flowing. Apple removed the app over “legality concerns” my old, stinky ass.

I wonder what Apple would do if an app like this one were developed for the U.S.? Would Apple refuse to approve it or would they give the government their middle finger and let it in the App Store?

avon b7 8039 comments · 20 Years

lkrupp said:

This is what a global corporation has to deal with. How can Cook and company espouse all their liberal twaddle here in the U.S. but then turn around and kowtow to a totalitarian dictatorship in China? It’s the money, pure and simple. Apple and a plethora of American companies’ financial lives are completely dependent on China. Apple, who presents itself as a poster boy for peace, love, tolerance, diversity... and unicorns, turns out to be the biggest hypocrite on the planet when it comes to keeping the money flowing. Apple removed the app over “legality concerns” my old, stinky ass.

I wonder what Apple would do if an app like this one were developed for the U.S.? Would Apple refuse to approve it or would they give the government their middle finger and let it in the App Store?

It's a very complicated world and we are all hypocrites somewhere along the line.

Apple, and everyone else in a similar situation, has to perform a balancing act, often taking decisions on the spur of the moment because you can't anticipate every eventuality. Just like with everyone, mistakes will be made along the way. Stupid things will sometimes be said by executives. I think when there is no right or wrong because context is changing all the time we have to cut them some slack.

You're right that money talks and money rules but the U.S is the land of the lobby where money often overrides everything.

I'm pretty critical of Apple for varying reasons but on the face of it, this looks like a 'damned if you do and damned if you don't' situation. Again, on the face of it, Apple's stance looks understandable IMO.

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

lkrupp said:

This is what a global corporation has to deal with. How can Cook and company espouse all their liberal twaddle here in the U.S. but then turn around and kowtow to a totalitarian dictatorship in China? It’s the money, pure and simple. Apple and a plethora of American companies’ financial lives are completely dependent on China. Apple, who presents itself as a poster boy for peace, love, tolerance, diversity... and unicorns, turns out to be the biggest hypocrite on the planet when it comes to keeping the money flowing. Apple removed the app over “legality concerns” my old, stinky ass.

I wonder what Apple would do if an app like this one were developed for the U.S.? Would Apple refuse to approve it or would they give the government their middle finger and let it in the App Store?

OK...
If you truly believe what you said, then flip the situation: Suppose China provided a means by which immigrants could monitor the thugs of ICE. You would be screaming bloody murder and Trump would be having hissy fits. So, let's not be accusing anybody of hypocrisy.

razorpit 1793 comments · 17 Years

lkrupp said:

This is what a global corporation has to deal with. How can Cook and company espouse all their liberal twaddle here in the U.S. but then turn around and kowtow to a totalitarian dictatorship in China? It’s the money, pure and simple. Apple and a plethora of American companies’ financial lives are completely dependent on China. Apple, who presents itself as a poster boy for peace, love, tolerance, diversity... and unicorns, turns out to be the biggest hypocrite on the planet when it comes to keeping the money flowing. Apple removed the app over “legality concerns” my old, stinky ass.

I wonder what Apple would do if an app like this one were developed for the U.S.? Would Apple refuse to approve it or would they give the government their middle finger and let it in the App Store?

Wouldn’t be surprised if it came down to who was in office and doing the asking.