Apple Removes Apps Featuring Confederate Flag

Apple is removing games from its online app store which feature the Confederate flag after CEO Tim Cook voiced his support for "eradicating racism" and the "symbols that feed it".

The company is the latest to distance itself from the Confederate flag amid a debate over its use in the wake of the Charleston shooting, which killed nine black church members.

Major retailers have halted sales of the banner and related merchandise after a public outcry over the Civil War symbol.

The alleged shooter in the attack, Dylann Roof, 21, had posed for photographs with the secessionist banner prior to the shooting.

On Monday, Walmart confirmed it would remove all Confederate-themed items from its shelves and website.

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Online retailer eBay also said it would no longer sell the rebel banner on its website.
Amazon.com quickly followed suit, despite purchases of the flag rocketing by more than 3,600% in the previous 24 hours.

Apple said in a statement that it is removing apps which use the flag in "offensive or mean-spirited ways", in violation of the company's guidelines.

Other apps depicting the flag in educational or historical contexts are not being removed.

The company said it is working with developers to get games that have been removed back in the store after changes are made.

On Sunday, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to the Charleston shooting by tweeting: "My thoughts are with the victims' families in SC (South Carolina).

He added: "Let us honour their lives by eradicating racism & removing the symbols and words that feed it."