Apple addresses App Store sex ban
Apple has recently changed its policy towards App Store apps for devices such as the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the forthcoming iPad. Any slightly sexy apps are out, except for a select few such as Playboy and Sports Illustrated. It took Apple days to even address the issue, and now it has, it’s left people even more confused than before.
Last week, apps started disappearing from the Apple App Store, and the developers of those apps were informed it was due to a changing of the rules regarding sex and nudity. One of these developers then revealed the new rules, which are overly prudish and hypocritical seeing as some apps which clearly break the rules are being left alone.
Apple SVP of Worldwide Product Marketing Phil Schiller has now addressed the issue, telling the New York Times:
It came to the point where we were getting customer complaints from women who found the content getting too degrading and objectionable, as well as parents who were upset with what their kids were able to see.
Which is fair enough, I suppose, but isn’t that the situation age controls are intended to avoid?
As for the fact that big-name publishers seem to have escaped the ban, the NYT reports:
When asked about the Sports Illustrated app, Mr. Schiller said Apple took the source and intent of an app into consideration. ‘The difference is this is a well-known company with previously published material available broadly in a well-accepted format,’ he said.
So, it’s one rule for some, another for others. And it seems to mainly depend on how mainstream and known the company is. Which sucks. If I were the developer of one of the apps in question I’d tell Apple where to stick their App Store after this complete lack of respect.
Related Posts:
February 23rd, 2010
Seems the biggest offender would be Apple themselves. Its amazing what their Safari app will let you or your child see (and hear).
Apple…the ultimate in hypocrisy.
February 25th, 2010
It so sad to see an otherwise innovative company like Apple pandering to the minority who impose their guilt and insecurity about sex into the rest of us by wanting to ban anything that makes them uncomfortable.
It’s funny how these same people often don’t appear to have a problem with something far more offensive – depictions of violence. Sexual contact is the most basic necessity for the race to propagate itself. Mindless violence isn’t.
And I agree with DavidB (above) about Apple’s hypocrisy on this. They dare not enforce the moral stance on big companies, because money seems to be even more important than morals – but all the little guys get railroaded.