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.
He continues to explain that Apple “obviously care[s]about developers, but in the end ha[s]to put the needs of the kids and parents first”. Somehow that’s supposed to help us understand why Sports Illustrated’s and FHM’s apps remain in the App Store:
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 the lesson is that as long as your parents and grandparents recognise the brand, it’s acceptable wanking material? Or is it that if enough mums complain about fart apps then those too will be purged from the App Store?
What’s sad about this is that in Apple’s early years, it was somewhat of a counterpoint to corporate computing for suits, by suits. They were supposed to make computers for people, by real humans. Founded by a man who asked potential employees when they lost their virginity as part of an interview. Today we have a company that has baby music in its commercials, like we’re all 10 year old idiots who have never heard the word fuck – let alone have fucked – and need to be protected from little programs that may have breasts in them.
Then again, Steve Jobs knows his legacy and it isn’t sex apps. It’s great hardware and software.
But why the hell can’t gadget porn and real porn co-exist? [NYT via Tech Crunch]
Shane
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 10:02 AMI’ve complained about the app store since it was created, but nothing has been done. I’ve complained about the restrictive nature of the API and nothing has been done, guess been a white male, my opinion no longer matters – welcome to the new minority group ;).
I’ve not downloaded any of these apps (seriously, the web is free!) that’s how you avoid it. I’m not saying that these apps are in good taste or have a place on the app store, but if apple is really that concerned, then they should provide appropriate ratings and categories for these types of apps, so you have to make conscious choice to view them, rather then mixing them with the general community.
Kids downloading apps (if they are paid) are probably using their parent’s accounts…why does that not worry anybody?
While I’m not particularly overly concerned about there removal, it does leave open a huge precedent. If you can get enough people to complain about something, then you can have it removed…maybe we should put a list together of all the crap on the app store and maybe we can get it cleaned up while we’re at it.
I suggest that all the developers complain about the app store, the inability to distribute their own apps to their own clients (without the need of the app store) and the restrictive nature of the API, maybe we can get some change.
Of course, all this means is that all the light apps will getter higher up in the list now :P
MiKandi Team
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 9:41 PMThe problem with this type of censorship is that it makes it pointless to even consider publishing adult-themed apps on iTunes because you have no idea if it will be approved or not. Which is why we believe our approach to the mobile app marketplace is easier to navigate for developers. At MiKandi.com, we believe that open an environment without censorship will always resonate better with developers and consumers and encourage innovation.
carly laun
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 7:50 PMi just wanted to say i think its great that these stupid images have been banned. sex doesnt need to be everywhere we look. im sure men would get pissed off seeing half naked, or naked men with the perfect body on every website they go into, why do women have to suffer! i say woohoo go apple, i love what you have done! and the fact that you actually care about what customers think is fantastic, keep it up guys! ;-)