Why Apple is under fire for labelling Crimea as a Russian territory
The US tech giant has changed how the disputed territory is listed on its mapping and weather apps
Tech giant Apple is at the centre of a geopolitical row over how the disputed territory of Crimea is identified on its apps.
Critics are claiming that the US company has “capitulated” to pressure from Moscow, after it emerged that the border between Crimea and the Russian region of Krasnodar Krai has been removed from the versions of Apple Maps and Apple Weather seen by Russian users, Quartz reports.
The Crimean Peninsula, on the north side of the Black Sea, was seized from Ukraine by Russian military forces and Russia-backed militants in 2014, triggering international condemnation. Indeed, “most of the world doesn’t recognize Crimea as part of Russia,” says the news site. “But Apple does.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What’s the background here?
Five years ago, a revolution led to the overthrow of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, and in the chaotic aftermath, Russia forcibly annexed neighbouring Crimea.
Russia claimed the move was necessary to protect citizens of the predominantly Russian-speaking peninsula from violence and repression by Ukrainian nationalists.
But many world leaders condemned the annexation as illegal and refused to recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea. The G8 suspended Russia’s membership and imposed sanctions on the country as punishment.
Amid the ongoing tensions, both Russia and Ukraine have both been “highly sensitive to the way global companies identify Crimea”, says US-based NBC News.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What has exactly Apple done?
When viewed on Apple Maps and Apple Weather from the US and most other parts of the world, Crimea is listed simply by its name, and no home country is given for the peninsula, Gizmodo reports.
But this week, Moscow-based BBC journalist Will Vernon tweeted that Apple “has complied with Moscow’s demands to show Crimea” as Russian territory by redrawing national borders on the Russian version of the apps and labelling the region as “Russia”.
The State Duma, the Russian parliament’s lower house, then issued a statement saying that “inaccuracies [in the apps]…were finally eliminated”.
Senior Russian lawmaker Vasilii Piskarev added that he had been informed about the changes personally by a Moscow-based Apple representative.
“Crimea and Sevastopol now appear on Apple devices as Russian territory,” the State Duma statement read. “Apple fulfilled its obligations and brought the applications on its devices in compliance with the requirements of the Russian legislation.”
And the response?
“Let me explain in your terms, @Apple,” tweeted Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s foreign minister. “Imagine you’re crying out that your design & ideas, years of work & piece of your heart are stolen by your worst enemy but then smb [somebody] ignorant doesn’t give a damn about your pain. That’s how it feels when you call #Crimea a [Russian] land.”
In a separate, earlier tweet, he wrote: “Iphones are great products. Seriously, though, @Apple, please, please, stick to high-tech and entertainment. Global politics is not your strong side. #CrimeaIsUkraine.”
Ukraine’s US embassy was equally critical, tweeting: “We guess Ukrainians not giving any thanks to @Apple this #Thanksgiving. So let’s all remind Apple that #CrimeaIsUkraine and it is under Russian occupation - not its sovereignty.”
This is not the first time Apple has landed in hot water over geopolitical issues. Last month, the company provoked criticism by hiding the Taiwan flag from the emoji keyboard of users whose iOS region is set to Hong Kong or Macau.
As Edgadget notes, the move “seemingly complied with China’s push to remove any symbols of sovereignty related to the territories it claims to own”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Summer Lee, the Pennsylvania 'squad' member who beat back a primary challenge
In the Spotlight Lee is the first Black woman ever elected to Congress from the Keystone State
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 fantastic places for solo travel
The Week Recommends Go your own way
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Should Olympic athletes get paid?
Today's Big Question For the first time in history, an international sporting body will pay some Olympians for their achievements in Paris this summer.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine using covert US long-range missiles
Speed Read The weapons are part of a $1 billion Ukraine aid package
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'A speaker courageous enough to stand up to the extremists in his own party'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Modern presidents exercise power undreamed of by the Founding Fathers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'So much for the triumph over inflation'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published