Apple 'taking a deeper look' at Maps changes after Crimea debacle
In a statement following assignment of the Crimea Peninsula to Russia in Apple Maps and Weather, Apple says that it will re-evaluate how it handles disputed borders going forward -- but no changes have been made as of yet.
Apple said that the changes to labeling and nationality of the Crimea Peninsula were made only to Russian users of Apple Maps, and not outside of the country. The changes, Apple said, were in response to the evolution of laws in the country which mandated the change.
"We review international law as well as relevant U.S. and other domestic laws before making a determination in labeling Maps and make changes if required by law," Apple told AppleInsider and other venues. "We are taking a deeper look at how we handle disputed borders in our services and may make changes in the future as a result."
Moscow has been urging Apple and other technology companies to recognize the region as Russian territory for upwards of a year, noting that not doing so is in contravention of Russian law. As it had done in China in regards to iCloud data residency, Apple complied with the law.
Apple's "deeper look" has not resulted in any changes as of the morning of December 2. The announcement by Apple was made on the Friday after US Thanksgiving -- a time where there has historically been little, if any, activity in the company.
Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014. The US does not recognize Crimea as Russian. Other nations vary in their interpretations.
The U.S. and UK both leveled trade sanctions against Russian entities in 2014. As a result, Apple was forced to terminate developer agreements of coders living in Crimea.
Apple said that the changes to labeling and nationality of the Crimea Peninsula were made only to Russian users of Apple Maps, and not outside of the country. The changes, Apple said, were in response to the evolution of laws in the country which mandated the change.
"We review international law as well as relevant U.S. and other domestic laws before making a determination in labeling Maps and make changes if required by law," Apple told AppleInsider and other venues. "We are taking a deeper look at how we handle disputed borders in our services and may make changes in the future as a result."
Moscow has been urging Apple and other technology companies to recognize the region as Russian territory for upwards of a year, noting that not doing so is in contravention of Russian law. As it had done in China in regards to iCloud data residency, Apple complied with the law.
Apple's "deeper look" has not resulted in any changes as of the morning of December 2. The announcement by Apple was made on the Friday after US Thanksgiving -- a time where there has historically been little, if any, activity in the company.
Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014. The US does not recognize Crimea as Russian. Other nations vary in their interpretations.
The U.S. and UK both leveled trade sanctions against Russian entities in 2014. As a result, Apple was forced to terminate developer agreements of coders living in Crimea.
Comments
GoogleGuy hasn't shown up to say how much better Google handled it, so I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that Google has already complied with the Russian point of view.
What a disgrace. The capitalist in me is wearing awfully thin...
It took Russian threats to ban Google altogether... They've had numerous disagreements with the Russians over censorship and control issues.
I am no great fan of Google either, but it’s worth recalling that Google has had the cajones to stand up to China far more than Apple has. To the point of walking away from business there.
They also don't list Costco, which has the best deals I've seen. Macs are $100 less than the best deals they're showing. I'm guessing they'd say it's because it's a warehouse store that requires a paid membership, and I'm guessing it's because Costco doesn't offer kickbacks on sales. I'd love to help get AI get paid for a sale, but with Costco besting everyone else I'm not sure how that will be possible.
Kinda seems you have plenty of opinion about what you think Google may have done, but conveniently have no opinion about what you know Apple did.
Even though I disagree with what Apple did, I think they should stick with their decision. They did it so they should deal with the criticism and own it. It was a fiduciary decision. They want to keep making money in Russia. They chose the most expedient path to ensure they would continue to do so. Compliance.
@lkrupp, even by your normal standards of obsequiousness, this one takes the cake. Re-read what I wrote, and try to comprehend. I did not complain about 5 of 21...6/21...7/21...8/21...9/21... would it help I went on?
Google did the same thing.
https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/27/apple-and-google-maps-accommodate-russias-annexation-of-crimea/