Apple removes games with Confederate flag after Cook vows to eradicate symbols feeding racism

Apple has begun removing games from its online app store that feature the Confederate flag.

The move comes days after Apple CEO Tim Cook called on people to honor the victims of the Charleston, South Carolina, church shooting by eradicating racism and the symbols that feed it.

Apple said in a statement that apps are being removed that use the flag in "offensive or mean-spirited ways," in violation of guidelines. Other apps depicting the flag in educational or historical contexts are not being removed.

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

Apple is the latest company to distance itself from the divisive Civil-War era symbol after the shooting suspect appeared in photos holding the flag.