Feb 9 • 05:36 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

Applications for boycotting American products receive global popularity... What’s the story?

Apps designed to help consumers boycott American products have seen a significant surge in downloads globally due to recent tensions tied to U.S. President Donald Trump's actions regarding Greenland.

Recently, there has been a notable increase in the downloads of applications that assist users in identifying American products in Western markets. This trend follows heightened tensions sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial comments regarding Greenland. According to a report from the Associated Press, one of the most popular apps, Made O’Meter, has recently seen more than 30,000 downloads—a surge of over 30% since its launch in March.

The Made O’Meter app utilizes artificial intelligence to help users recognize a variety of products and suggest alternatives that are not manufactured by U.S. companies. Users can customize their experience by restricting suggestions to European products or entirely excluding goods from American-owned businesses. This technological approach highlights how consumer behavior is shifting as individuals seek to make informed purchasing choices in response to geopolitical events.

Another Danish application, NonUSA, developed by 21-year-old Jonas Beyer and his team, also reflects this growing trend. The rising popularity of such applications underscores a global sentiment and response against American products amidst an era of rising nationalism and economic protectionism. It indicates a changing landscape where consumers are increasingly influenced by political contexts in their purchasing decisions, showcasing the intersection of technology, consumer activism, and geopolitical concerns.

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