Apple cracks down on adult-themed iPhone apps
Responding to requests from both consumers and developers alike, Apple has removed an unspecified number of adult-themed iPhone and iPod touch applications from its App Store. Information Week reports that Apple is contacting developers of sexually explicit apps, explaining that a flurry of consumer complaints prompted its decision to revise policies regarding mature content: "Whenever we receive customer complaints about objectionable content we review them," an Apple spokesperson writes in an e-mailed statement. "If we find these apps contain inappropriate material we remove them and request the developer make any necessary changes in order to be distributed by Apple."
Information Week notes that consumers have been voicing their concerns over the App Store on Apple's support forum, linking to a now-unavailable thread where one customer complains that the computing giant's parental controls failed to work as advertised. "The [parental control] settings [in iTunes] do stop me from purchasing the apps," the post explains. "The 'Buy App/Get App' button is grayed out so I cannot get the app, but I am still able to preview the app, including screen shots of graphic content along with detailed descriptions."
Developers have voiced similar concerns to Apple, contending that sexually-themed software now represents as much as a third of the App Store's 140,000-plus applications. Developers argue that the proliferation of adult apps hampers discoverability of rival applications, and some have reported the problem as a bug in hopes of attracting Apple's complete attention to the issue. Of course, the question of exactly how Apple might define apps that cross the boundaries of good taste could create as many problems as it solves--some developers have lobbied for the creation of a so-called "red light district" for applications that contain overtly sexual content.
For more on the App Store's adult content purge:
- read this Information Week article
Related articles:
iPhone SDK 3.2 beta arrives alongside Apple's iPad
Apple accelerates the App Store approval process
Comments
Posted by Julia Dimambro | February 23, 2010 - 2:06am
This makes my blood boil. When Information Week refers to 'Adult' content, it might be worth defining that in the case of the Apple App Store, this means: Totally clothed, no sexually suggestive poses or touching, basically MUCH, MUCH less explicit than 'children' see on music videos every day with their exposé outfits and gyrating dance moves (which in adult mobile is classified as simulated sex - post Age Verification only!!).
We recently submitted a babe app to Apple. As expected it got returned, because in one part, she caressed her buttock for a moment - agreed, this is not 1.1. bikini level, but where on earth are they seeing TOPLESS content as mentioned by one of the so called 'complainers'??
I think this is a complete farce and do NOT believe they are getting numerous complaints - I say that because I have 8 years experience selling erotica in a mainstream market place. I am convinced that Apple will eventually take the same path as the global network operators have done when they realise that erotic doesn't have to explicit and positioning and branding is the key to success deployment of erotic services (For a company SO great at marketing, amazing they haven't achieved anything here! See Vodafone Access Controls as an example).
Finally, pure demand (nearly 40% of mobile search requests are for some form of adult related content) will alienate potential market reach once consumers realise how ridiculous they are being.
Android is the future!
Posted by Anonymous | February 23, 2010 - 11:32am
This is the danger of owning a device so closely tied to its manufacturer. Apple has way too much control over a device that the consumer has purchased. Android will be the future because it is open can cannot be whimsically censored.
Posted by MiKandi Team | March 3, 2010 - 4:12pm
Rejecting apps based upon personal definitions of acceptable behavior put developers on very precarious ground. What you put on your phone is your business and consumers should be allowed to purchase the apps they desire. Creativity in technology thrives in an open environment where everyone is contributing. Apple has the right to prohibit adult content on the App Store, but developers and consumers will always demand these rights. Google’s approach with their Android platform supports this a lot better than Apple does, at the moment.
Rejected Developers, you are always welcome at developer.mikandi.com! ;)
Posted by Anonymous | March 3, 2010 - 8:55pm
MiKandi, this is exactly why consumers should go to the Android-based platform, it is open. Companies creating software for mobile phones should put a prominent banner on their site stating, "Android-Platform recommended."
SHARE
WITH:
Comments (4) | Post a comment