Apple has drawn outrage for pushing a news alert to iPhones on the anniversary of the devastating 9/11 terror attacks, suggesting that they “set the stage” for January’s Capitol Riot.
It sent the notification on Saturday, claiming that the events 20 years ago on September 11, 2001, were the reason why violence was observed in Washington DC this year.
Also Read | Apple Event 2021: Environment-friendly products make it to the release lineup
The alert said, “How the 9/11 attacks ushered in an era of fear and mistrust in the U.S. – and set the stage for the January 6 insurrection.” However, it brought Apple under fire with rightwing commentator Candace Owens calling it ‘sickening’ and ‘despicable’ and social media users joining in.
The push notification redirected readers to a podcast interview with documentary filmmaker Michael Kirk. has a 9/11 centric film in the pipeline called ‘America After 9/11’.
Also Read | Apple event 2021: Apple launches iPhone 13 with fastest CPU ever
Former national security adviser for President Obama, Ben Rhodes, was seen suggesting the Capitol Riot was the ‘logical endpoint’ of the ‘9/11 era.’
‘When you have people who can’t trust institutions anymore, who are angry that the wars that they were promised great victories in didn’t turn out well, they start to look for people to blame,’ Rhodes said.
Also Read | Apple Event: With USB-C Port, next gen iPad mini is an instant hit
Candace Owens tweeted, calling the notification ‘sickening’.
‘I cannot even put into words how absolutely despicable this is. How dare @Apple make an absolute mockery of the lives that were lost on 9/11?
‘This is sickeningly disrespectful to the heroes and survivors of September 11th.’
With over 5,000 retweets and more than 1600 replies, people suggested they would boycott Apple products.
‘They literally hate us. That settles it for me. I’m giving up the Apple dynasty. Damn spies and traitors,’ said podcast host Monica Matthews.
‘Shame on you, @AppleNews,’ wrote Mike Neal, a former aide to former Vice President Mike Pence.