Apple Begins Showing Crimea as Russian
In Russia.
Apple has complied with the demands of the Russian Federation and now shows occupied Crimea as Russian territory in its apps, BBC reports.
The peninsula, which is Ukrainian territory and was annexed by Russia in 2014, is now marked as part of Russia in the Apple Maps and Weather apps — but only for users located in Russia. Outside the country, however, Apple does not explicitly designate the region as part of any state.
In the United Kingdom, for example, Apple Maps shows the border between Crimea and Kherson Region as a regional boundary rather than a national one, but the app does not display any dividing line in the Kerch Strait.
At the same time, in the Weather app, when opened by a user in Russia, Sevastopol and Simferopol are marked as Russian cities, while users in the United Kingdom see the Crimean cities with no country indicated.
Since May 2019, Apple has been discussing the territorial status of Crimea with Russian authorities, since labeling the peninsula as Ukrainian territory is a criminal offense under Russian law.
In Russia, the company's decision has been called natural.
“Today our situation with Apple is settled,” — said Vasily Piskarev, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption, after meeting with Apple representatives. — We see that everything turned out just as we wanted, no more, no less. Everything has been done properly, and in the way it is done when it comes to other states, where geographic names of the constituent entities within that state's borders are clearly tied to it.”
The Embassy of Ukraine in the United States has already appealed to Apple’s leadership, calling on it to “correct the incorrect designation of Crimea as part of Russia in the company’s apps.”
“Ukrainian diplomats have also drawn the attention of the U.S. State Department and other competent agencies to the current situation,” — the embassy said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko compared Apple’s political mistake to the theft of other people’s ideas, and also noted that international politics — is not the company’s strongest suit.
“Let me explain in your terms, Apple,” Prystaiko addressed the company. — Imagine you are shouting that your design and your ideas, years of work and part of your heart have been stolen by your worst enemy, but at the same time someone ignorant spits on your pain. That is how we feel when you call Crimea Russian land.”
“iPhones — are a wonderful product. However, Apple, please, please, stick to technology and entertainment. International politics — is not your strong suit,” the minister added.
At the same time, Google also shows the state border between the Ukrainian peninsula and Kherson Region on its maps in Russia.
Users in the United Kingdom see a special dotted line at this location, which differs from both national and regional borders.
Earlier, the Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom demanded that The Economist publication correct its map of the country without Crimea.
Zelensky: Russia Used 115 Missiles, Nearly 1,900 Guided Bombs and Over 3,000 Drones in a Week
Attack on Major DTEK Energy Facility in Northern Odesa Region Leaves Some Families Without Power
Britain Threatens Sanctions on Kremlin-Linked People; Poland Ready to Hand Ukraine Ammunition
Russia says it has completed "planned exercises" in the Black Sea
MVD: Fake Riots With Prop Blood Were Being Prepared Near Presidential Office
Law Enforcers Name Another Klitschko Deputy as Suspect
Berlin Holds Protest Against War in Ukraine; EU Prepares for Possible Russian Halt of Gas Supplies
North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Over Record Distance in Five Years
Irish Fishermen Force Russia to Postpone Naval Drills
US sanctions in case of invasion of Ukraine could completely destroy Russia's economy, NYT reports
