Tag Archives: Tim Cook

Apple CEO Tim Cook is requested to ‘reverse course’ in Hong Kong

A bipartisan group of US Congress members wrote a Friday letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook criticized the tech giant’s decision to remove an app used by protesters in Hong Kong HKmap.live from the App Store.

The letter shows that Apple’s decision last week by taking down HKMaps is deeply concerning to accommodate the Chinese government. They urge him to reverse course in the strongest terms, to stand with the brave men and women fighting for dignity and basic rights, and to demonstrate that Apple puts values above market access in Hong Kong.

According to a report from Reuters, the letter follows Cook’s Thursday meeting with China’s market regulator in Beijing and the app’s removal.

Republican Sens, along with Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Ted Cruz of Texas signed the letter. Another signals came from Democratic Reps. Tom Malinowski of New Jersey, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin.

A mapping app from the App Store crowdsourcing the location of police and protesters in Hong Kong  HKmap.live was removed by Apple, saying it violated the local laws and store’s guidelines. Last Thursday HKmap tweeted that it disagreed with Apple’s claim that the app endangered Hong Kong residents and law enforcement.

The protests which were initially focused on legislation allowing people arrested in Hong Kong to be transferred to and tried in mainland China have been going on since March 2019. The demonstrations have expanded to include other grievances and demands for greater democracy although extradition bill has since been withdrawn.

In a recent memo to Apple employees, Tim Cook said that national and international debates would outlive them all, and they do not govern the facts while important. Cook met with Xiao Yaqing China’s State Administration for Market Regulation on Thursday to discuss consumer-rights protection, enhancing business development and investment in the country.