Apple pulled an app from its online store that helps Hong Kong protesters avoid police, after China's official People's Daily newspaper criticized the company for "guiding Hong Kong thugs." The newspaper added that "Apple needs to think deeply" about its reputation in China. Apple said it removed the app, HKmap.live, on Thursday because it "has been used to target and ambush police" and "threaten public safety," in violation of "our guidelines and local laws." Last week, Hong Kong media reported that Apple had hidden the Taiwan flag emoji from iOS users in Hong Kong and Macau.
China is Apple's No. 2 market and manufactures many of its products and parts, but the company is only the latest to get caught up in China's tetchy reactions to perceived attacks on its sovereignty. The most recent — and ongoing — flareup involves the NBA, its fans, and a quickly deleted tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. On Wednesday's Daily Show, Trevor Noah recapped the NBA drama and noted some other companies who have apologized for offending China.
"The truth is, these companies don't have to take orders from China about what to say or how to act, but they do it because nobody wants to lose access to a billion Chinese customers," Noah said. Then correspondent Ronny Chieng delivered a message directly to China, and it captured the dynamics uncomfortably well. Peter Weber
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