Apple Maps & Weather: Crimea is Ukraine!

Until recently, Apple was trying to avoid controversies even in such a sensitive matter as Crimea occupied by Russia. For Russian users, the peninsula was shown as a part of their country, and for the rest of the world – as just a territory. The Russian invasion in Ukraine and Apple’s distancing from the aggressor made the company choose its side.

 Since March 4, Maps and Weather by Apple show Crimea as a part of Ukraine again. Now, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it looks like a declaration for the whole world… except Russia. When viewed from inside Russian Federation, though, Crimea is still seen as a part of it. Apple was forced to change its maps in Russia in 2019 when the authorities demanded it directly.

 This backstep, though, now seems illogical, given that Apple has suspended its sales in Russia, blocked Apple Pay and many other services, suspended search ads there, and removed Russian state media apps from the App Store. Russian cards are not accepted by App Store either, so those who haven’t prolonged their subscriptions will soon be unable to. So, the reason for this is probably not Apple's wish to secure its sales in Russia which it suspended itself. Maybe now it seems too minor to bother about, given all the other steps the Cupertino company has taken.

 Google Maps might have followed the case. But the company, so far operating in Russia, still displays the peninsula as an independent territory for all users outside it. The situation may change, though, if Russia escalates its demands from YouTube and other services by Alphabet. Which looks now more and more probable.

 Do you think this step by Apple is logical now? Or do you consider this a half-measure that makes no real sense? Share your opinions right here in the comments!