Apple to Take a ‘Deeper Look’ at Maps Policy After Labeling Crimea Part of Russia

Apple is reviewing its policies after the company was criticized for including Crimea as part of Russia in some versions of its Maps app.

Earlier last week, Ukrainian officials accused Apple of insensitivity for showing the Black Sea peninsula as part of Russia on Russian versions of the map software used on iPhones and iPads.

Now, according to a new report from Reuters, Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told Reuters on November 29 that the U.S. technology giant was “taking a deeper look at how we handle disputed borders.”

Muller said Apple made the change for Russian users because of a new law that went into effect inside Russia and that it had not made any changes to its maps outside of the country.

“We review international law as well as relevant U.S. and other domestic laws before making a determination in labeling on our maps and make changes if required by law,” she told Reuters.

When viewed in the United States, Crimea is listed as an undefined territory on Apple’s Maps App and no home country is given for the peninsula. However, when viewed on the Maps App in Russia, the region is listed as the Republic of Crimea, Russia.

Notably, Russia occupied and annexed the peninsula in 2014. However, The European Union and the United States do not recognize Crimea as part of Russia and have imposed sanctions against the peninsula and individuals they believe violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

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