Apple ditches Hong Kong maps app as China expands 'loyalty test'

Company joins brands such as Tiffany and Nike in navigating Beijing pressure

20191009 Hong Kong protesters hold phones

Demonstrators hold up their phones in Hong Kong: Software available in Apple's App Store lets protesters track the movements of the city's police. © Reuters

SHUNSUKE TABETA and ALEX FANG, Nikkei staff writers

October 9, 2019 22:14 JST

Updated on October 10, 2019 16:59 JST

BEIJING/NEW YORK -- Under pressure from China, Apple said on Thursday that it has removed an iPhone app used by protesters in Hong Kong to show police activity.

"[The app] has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong," Apple said in a statement. The California-based company initially rejected the app for containing content that facilitates illegal activities and evades law enforcement.