Abstract
This article, published by ABC on the 10th of October 2019, explains the reasons behind Apple's decision of removing the app from its online store.
Extract
[...] ABC Australia, Apple removes app used by Hong Kong protesters to track police - Anonyme (2019) - The reasons behind Apple's decision Text analysis: "Apple removes app used by Honk Kong protesters to track police" As riots have been taking place for the last couple of months in Honk Kong, the law enforcement officers are more and more targeted by protesters. In this context, an application, HKmap.live, has appeared to be controversial. This article, published by ABC on the 10th of October 2019, explains the reasons behind Apple's decision of removing the app from its online store This article has a classic structure of a newspaper articles, beginning by facts, then by reactions to the event, and concluding by linking this event with others like it. [...]
[...] The Honk Kong protesters are informally supported by the USA, and Apple was somehow expected to go this way. Surprisingly enough, they decided to follow the Chinese government's solicitation to shutdown the app. This decision is thus an explicit evidence that GAFAM, unlike a commonly spread idea, don't have as much power as people generally think they have. They are still under the threat of states' decisions. Apple has too much commercial interests in China, both in production sites and in market shares. [...]
[...] On the other hand, some protesters argued that it was never used to ambush, but that it increased public safety. For these people, this decision is manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party and is a proof that even Apple must bow in front of it. The main question here is to ask ourselves whether Apple withdrew its app for ethical or economic reasons. This is an interesting debate, as Apple is usually perceived as a classic demonstration of American soft power and influence throughout the world. [...]
