Should Apple end the "No porn here", and how far?

I'm really surprised that Apple hasn't done more on some of these "parental control" issues with the App Store.

I can understand why they made Web Browsers and Dictionaries etc. have a rating of 17+ (or whatever it is) back in 2008, but why haven't they worked on a more elegant solution since then?

"This App is able to access web pages that may contain offensive content" - something like that would be FAR better than the current system of misapplying an age rating to the App. A pure web browser must have the high age rating, but other things like Twitter and Facebook don't have to?

I do think that Apple is too inconsistent with things. Like how the South Park App was rejected for being offensive, yet you could go onto the iTunes Store and pay for the same content.

I think this is an absolutely ridiculous policy. They review every app, so I really don't see why they couldn't put any they deem explicit in a restricted 18+ category. The whole world isn't as scared of naked people as American society.

I would really, really, really want to say "sure, we shouldn't be censoring, and if people want porn apps, it should be in the app store." And am I "guilty" of viewing porn? Absolutely. And my significant other is too.

That said, if you look at every seedy porn site, every cheesy, poor quality android app meant to appeal to dudes who want to stare at naked girls, the pop-under ads of annoying talking people that are a pain to deal with the moment you stray and click on a porn link, and I worry that THAT is going to trash up the app store. Not to mention there still has to be someone at Apple "vetting" these porn apps to ensure they don't crash, don't carry malware, don't include kiddy porn.

And when I take that into consideration, I'm not sure there's a perfect answer to this. The best imperfect answer though, seems to be what it has been up to now: If you REALLY, REALLY want porn on your iPhone, you're free to use Safari to visit porn sites, as always. Apple doesn't filter it, and I they'd better not ever dare to try.

Apple are not the police.

If people want to buy/sell adult material, apple can either facilitate that or lose the market.

So long as it is categorized appropriately, complies with the law and proof of age is required, i see no issue.



I'd MUCH rather adult content was available via a vetted, trusted store than some seedy corner of the internet and loaded with spyware/malware, etc.

I love porn, especially fine looking ladies like Priva, Sunny Leone, Audrey Bitoni & Charmane Star. But if I'm going to coat a screen with baby batter, I'll do it on a different platform from a different source.

The App has been doing very well for a while with the current rule and theres no need to fix something that isnt broken. I like open platforms like Android a lot more, but the no porn policy is actually great as it appeals to a complete audience without negative outcomes.

Gotta stand for something or you'll fall for anything.

If you crave porn so badly that you need it on your phone, go to mobile porn sites. Apple doesn't believe in porn on its App Store, and that's perfectly alright. They aren't losing many customers over that.

Is there a third party porn store for Android?

^ dont know, but one could make a ton of money if they made one.

Sort of like Amazon App store on Android but for explicit digital goods.

Hmm.....

Apple has no interest in vetting porn apps to make sure they work correctly and are malware-free. Someone above said if they don't they'll lose the market. I don't think they care.

And can you imagine the media headlines! "Apple now sells porn apps online!" Every parent who bought and iPod touch or an iPad for their kid will be crying foul - even if Apple had privacy/parental controls in place. I don't think Apple wants those headlines... even though it's already true of Google.

I don't think Apple will budge on this - with perhaps the exception of items in the iBooks store (since they already sell "Fifty Shades of Grey") or something like Playboy in the magazine section.

xraydoc said:

even though it's already true of Google.

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What porn apps does Google have?

This is a sick disgusting thread that should not be allowed (more suited for Android users as they tend to be older-"customizable!"). Lot's of young people on these forums.

Anyways when would you actually use these things? In public or next to people when you are most using these portable devices-not! If you are that desperate use the browser...

If Apple did end this restriction, YouTube should also end it. Imagine the (negative) press they'd get!

touchipods said:

This is a sick disgusting thread that should not be allowed (more suited for Android users as they tend to be older-"customizable!"). Lot's of young people on these forums.

Anyways when would you actually use these things? In public or next to people when you are most using these portable devices-not! If you are that desperate use the browser...

If Apple did end this restriction, YouTube should also end it. Imagine the (negative) press they'd get!

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If you are on the internet, you already know about porn. Get over it. Sex is natural. Why can I watch a nature video showing two baboons humping each other but two people humping each other is so taboo?

The problem is that such apps would quickly dwarf the rest of the store.

1,000,000 non-porn apps... 50,000,000 porn apps!

While I have no objection to porn per se, I can see why Apple would want to avoid that situation. They're making the right choice.

The way the porn world works (with single companies running hundreds upon hundreds of different sites) it seems like the web really is built for that industry. (It's not like Amazon where there's one main place to get it.) Porn should stay on the web not so much because Apple is squeamish, but because the web is a better platform for that world.

What Apple should do is grant more APIs to web sites. They can already do stuff like use your location (which makes web sites feel more like apps). They should expand other privileges to Safari like the ability to store local files on the phone's memory.

Yeah, that would benefit porn sites, but many other sites would make use of it too. (Which is how many technologies get started, actually.)

If only there was some way to get porn onto our ipads!!! I can't think of a single workaround!

SomeDudeAsking said:

If you are on the internet, you already know about porn. Get over it. Sex is natural. Why can I watch a nature video showing two baboons humping each other but two people humping each other is so taboo?

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Try doing it in public (train/bus/walking outside) and tell me what happens-you'd get arrested. I don't mind or care what people do in their own private lives but when most portable devices are used with people around, this is a problem.

touchipods said:

Try doing it in public (train/bus/walking outside) and tell me what happens-you'd get arrested. I don't mind or care what people do in their own private lives but when most portable devices are used with people around, this is a problem.

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Are you being serious?

You honestly don't think people use iPads and iPhones in their home?

Your first thought is really "If it can't be done in public, how will people use it??"

Small White Car said:

Are you being serious?

You honestly don't think people use iPads and iPhones in their home?

Your first thought is really "If it can't be done in public, how will people use it??"

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Umm why is it called a 'portable' device? Because you can carry it with you anywhere and everywhere-this tends to mean out in public more often than not. Of course people use in their own home and whatnot.

Unless you work at home, more time is used away from home. At home most likely to use PC/laptop instead of the small screen.

touchipods said:

Umm why is it called a 'portable' device? Because you can carry it with you anywhere and everywhere-this tends to mean out in public more often than not.

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My iPad gets used at home 99% of the time.

Since I know lots of people with iPads and since I never see them carrying them around all day, I have to assume I'm fairly average.

If you only use your iOS devices outside, ok, that's fine. But I don't think most people are like you.

touchipods said:

Try doing it in public (train/bus/walking outside) and tell me what happens-you'd get arrested. I don't mind or care what people do in their own private lives but when most portable devices are used with people around, this is a problem.

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Yes, sex is so bad for you it is criminal. Wonder how any of us were even born?

Small White Car said:

My iPad gets used at home 99% of the time.

Since I know lots of people with iPads and since I never see them carrying them around all day, I have to assume I'm fairly average.

If you only use your iOS devices outside, ok, that's fine. But I don't think most people are like you.

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Well iPads are a bit different because they are like mini laptops-tablets obviously. Heavy to carry around everywhere and at times takes too much space. However I still feel people need a pc/laptop to put things into the iPad. Personally if I had to choose between the 2 at home, I'd pick pc/laptop unless I want to listen to music or use a specific app.

I think Apple is trying to eliminate "cleanup" fee by preventing its employees from having to review p0rn apps!

=

PracticalMac said:

You can find PLENTY of explicit video on YT.

Look for medical and health information topics. I have stumbled accorss videos of how to do mammograms, Ob/gyn info, and male circumcision, and other such video.
Of course it was not at all sexual, but it was very graphic, close up of clitoris for instance.

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I can't see how anyone would be turned on by educational material. Just try putting up a video of a pap smear with porn music in the background. See how many people fap to that .

Also I don't care about porn apps. I grew bored with porn a long time ago as it's too predictable and half the time the chick looks like she's having a stroke.