WATCH ABOVE: There’s an app for “Je Suis Charlie”
TORONTO – The developers of a free app aimed at showing support for the “Je Suis Charlie” campaign was published to Apple’s app store in record time, thanks to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
According to a report from French Apple blog iPhon.fr, the app’s developers contacted Cook directly to see if they could bypass the application wait time in order to have the app available for download during the massive rally being held in Paris.
The developers claim they had a response within ten minutes from Cook’s assistant promising a review within an hour. It normally takes around ten days to get a new app approved.
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The “Je Suis Charlie” app allows users to add their location to the map, declaring their support for freedom of expression and the victims of those killed in the deadly attack on the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo last week.
“Because ‘I’m Charlie’ became the symbol of freedom of expression, whatever your beliefs, your country and your opinions, download the app ‘I’m CHARLIE’ and simply mark your location on the world map,” reads the app’s description in the app store.
“We will show that we are all united together across the world.”
According to the app’s data, over 44,000 people had checked into the app to show their support as of Monday morning, including many Canadians.
Although the app doesn’t provide an exact number of how many users have added their location to certain cities, the majority of users seem to be located in France.
In fact, France can’t even be seen on the map due to the number of markers.
However, many users were reporting issues with the app after its launch. Some speculated the app’s server may have been overloaded due to the rally in Paris and those held in other cities across the world in solidarity.
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The app appeared to be working fine Monday morning.
This isn’t the first time Apple has shown support for the movement. Shortly after the attacks last week, Apple’s France website added a “Je Suis Charlie” banner to the bottom of its homepage.
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