Ukrainian politicians and bloggers have added their voice to condemnation of Apple's decision to show Crimea as a Russian territory on its maps.
Ukrainian foreign minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted: "Apple, please stick to hi-tech and entertainment. Global politics is not your strong side."
Russian ex-world chess champion Garry Kasparov added his voice, calling the decision "unacceptable appeasement".
Apple is yet to comment on the move.
The changes were announced by the State Duma, Russian parliament's lower house, in a statement, which described the former listing as an "inaccuracy".
"Crimea and Sevastopol now appear on Apple devices as Russian territory," the statement read.
Apple Maps does not show a border between Crimea and Russia, to the east
Russia treats the naval port city of Sevastopol as a separate region. The changes, which apply only in Russia, affect both Apple's Map and Weather apps. Apple has been in talks with Russia for several months and had hoped to keep Crimea as an undefined territory, part of neither Russia nor Ukraine. Google, which also produces a popular Maps app, also shows Crimea as belonging to Russia when viewed from the country. The changes happened in March. When Google Maps is viewed from Ukraine, the maps show no clear border between Crimea and Ukraine but also no border between Crimea and Russia, according to BBC Monitoring. Garry Kasparov's tweet read: "Apple changing its maps inside Russia to make Crimea part of Russia is a huge scandal. Regionalisation of facts is unacceptable appeasement." He added: "Software is soft power. American tech companies should stand up for the values of innovation that made their success possible, not bow down to dictators for a little extra cash they don't even need."Apple 'boycott'
Meanwhile Mr Prystaiko said: "Let me explain in your terms, @Apple. Imagine you're crying out that your design and ideas, years of work and 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." Ukraine's US embassy was equally critical on Twitter. "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," it tweeted. Former Ukrainian foreign minister Volodymyr Ohryzko suggested that a boycott of Apple products might be one way to deal with issue. "Trust me, they will hear [us] quickly. And will change everything quickly. Are there volunteers?" he asked on Twitter. But popular blogger Anton Hodza, while outraged, took a more light-hearted approach. "Apple's actions are a disgrace. We need to show them that we are outraged. Send me your iPhones, MacBooks and iPads. I will burn them, honestly."DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Why Minority opposed approval of Lands Minister-designate, Armah-Kofi Buah
36 minutes -
Aowin Traditional Council calls for help to halt onslaught on its forest reserves
1 hour -
NDC grassroots express displeasure over poor parliamentary attendance by their MPs
2 hours -
Sports journalist Afia Empress bags CAF License ‘C’ certificate in coaching
2 hours -
Appointments Committee should’ve probed Barker-Vormawor more for evidence – Appiah-Kubi
2 hours -
Ahanta Chiefs express gratitude to President Mahama, address Akufo-Addo statue controversy
3 hours -
Resetting Ghana’s Urban Waste Sector: The role of household behavioural change in driving sustainability
3 hours -
Ambassador Matilda Aku Alomatu Osei-Agyeman elected Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors
3 hours -
237 aspirants screened for MMDCE positions in Volta region
3 hours -
AI4SD launches RAIL robotics club at Achimota Basic School
3 hours -
Newage Agric Solutions Limited@5; Five years of transforming agriculture in Ghana
3 hours -
Powering Ghana’s Future: Why concessions, not the sale of ECG, hold the key to energy reform
3 hours -
Strengthening the Fight Against Schistosomiasis in Ghana: Effective control measures for a public health challenge
4 hours -
‘NGO’ wins Lead Actor in a Comedy/Drama series at Ghana Movie Awards 2024
4 hours -
Addressing Africa’s Youth Employment Challenges: Ghana Scholarly Society leads the dialogue
4 hours