Hong Kong: Legislature reopens, Apple removes app used by protesters

Apple removed a controversial app, Hkmap.live, that helped protesters, from its store

HONG KONG-CHINA-POLITICS-UNREST People attend a flash mob rally to show support for pro-democracy protesters in the Central district in Hong Kong | AFP

In the first session of the Hong Kong Legislature since the building was ransacked in July by protesters, legislators began by shouting at each other. Some legislators wore black masks as they sat in the chamber, while others carried placards that read, "Police brutality still exists, how can we have a meeting?" 

All stations of the Hong Kong metro were opened on Friday, almost a week after being shut. Metro operator MTR said that services will be shut at 10 pm, more than 2 hours before the usual tie so that repairs can be carried out at the stations that had been vandalised by protestors. 

Protesters targeted the MTR because it has been blamed for closing stations on the government's behalf to contain demonstrations. 

Chief executive leader Carrie Lam had introduced colonial laws and banned masks in an attempt to control the protests. However, this led to more violent demonstrations. More protests and demonstrations have been planned over the weekend to protest over China's encroachment on fundamental rights and police brutality. 

On Thursday, after criticism from the Chinese government, Apple removed a controversial app, Hkmap.live from its store. The company stated that the app endangered Hong Kong citizens and police. 

A crowdsourced app, Hkmap.live uses social media to pinpoint where in Hong Kong protests are occurring, where police are located, and whether or not police are using weapons like tear gas etc. 

The app came under the scanner when the 'People's Daily', the official newspaper of China's communist party, implied Apple intended to aid the protesters. Some users, however, defended the app by saying that it informed people of areas where conflict was taking place.