As someone who has appreciated the privacy stance Apple has had and the privacy assisting steps it has taken for a long time (long before iPhone), I believe Apple is coming out to be completely hypocritical and anti-privacy/anti-freedom on this app. I cannot believe that Tim Cook and other senior executives haven't examined this deeper and taken a bold stance to let the app stay! Shame on you, Apple! Even John Gruber…
Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
81–90 of 931 posts
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#82Earlier quoted context omitted.
That is some incredible spin.
I'm as sympathetic to the protests as anyone and I'm definitely not used to defending Apple's behavior, but are we sure that this is spin? Undoubtedly the app is being used for more than just "ambushing and attacking police". But absent a firm belief that this reason from the Chinese government is bullshit, it's actually a pretty tall order (and questionably ethical) for a corporation to push back against a govt dema…
The few situations where Hong Kong police have been in danger have come when a small group splits off and is isolated during a protest. In no case have protesters caught the police unawares in an ambush, let alone off-duty police.
By its nature, the app shows large concentrations of police forces. The argument is ridiculous on its face, even if you don't know the situation on the ground in Hong Kong well.
No one has been able to point to a single Hong Kong law this app violates, or to any example of it being misused in the way the statement alleges.
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#83Out of curiosity, I reviewed the App Store guidelines: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#leg... The Legal Section states: "Apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where you make them available (if you’re not sure, check with a lawyer). We know this stuff is complicated, but it is your responsibility to understand and make sure your app conforms with all local laws, not just…
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#84This is a good reason to never buy apple. You never know when you might need to install an app banned by your government. At least on Android you can install apps from unofficial sources.
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#85The Chinese Government shakedown works like the mob. First they ask for a small favor, and then as you get deeper and deeper in the web, the demands increase. If you've already censored the NYTimes, then Quartz, why not a maps app? It's time the world took collective action (which we're beginning to see) to push back before self-censorship with the threat of coordinated "spontaneous patriotism" creates a new norm whe…
I met a lot of very self confident American entrepreneurs, over the years, who come to China thinking that they can play their game here.
Believe me, an average CPC section chief by mid-30 will have an arsenal of political stratagem to outplay any of those guys. Even though may look inept, they are on completely different level when it comes to your mindgames.
Your best bet in this game is not to play it. My own take on it as somebody who's been here for quite some time: the less you see them, the better.
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#86From NBC News reporter @DylanByers on Twitter: “We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps. We have learned that an app, HKmap.live, has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong. Many concerned customers in Hong Kong have contacted us about this app and we immediately began investigating it. The app displays police locations and we have verified with the…
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#87As someone who has appreciated the privacy stance Apple has had and the privacy assisting steps it has taken for a long time (long before iPhone), I believe Apple is coming out to be completely hypocritical and anti-privacy/anti-freedom on this app. I cannot believe that Tim Cook and other senior executives haven't examined this deeper and taken a bold stance to let the app stay! Shame on you, Apple! Even John Gruber…
I admit to being confused what this has to do with privacy.
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#88Why is this story already off the front page? Currently 117 points in 1 hour, yet somehow behind “The Origin of the Foot Rail” with 39 points in 7 hours.
> Please don't use Hacker News for political or ideological battle. That destroys intellectual curiosity, the value of the site.
Differently put, this news is about Apple and the state of the internet, not the CCP.
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#89From NBC News reporter @DylanByers on Twitter: “We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps. We have learned that an app, HKmap.live, has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong. Many concerned customers in Hong Kong have contacted us about this app and we immediately began investigating it. The app displays police locations and we have verified with the…
This rationale focuses on how the app has been used , rather than what it does , which could apply equally well to any text messaging or web browser app that is used illegally. Imagine if this said: > We have learned that an app, iMessage, has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong. Many concerned customers in Hong Kong have contacted us about this app and we immediately began inve…
Re: Apple Removes HKmap.live from the App Store
#90Why is this story already off the front page? Currently 117 points in 1 hour, yet somehow behind “The Origin of the Foot Rail” with 39 points in 7 hours.