More iPhone App Controversy with Alleged Underaged Nudity

MacRumors · Jul 2, 2009, 02:30 PM

Wired reports on the latest high profile app removal from the App Store related to nudity. This time, a free app called BeautyMeter was removed due to an inappropriate image appearing of nude minor.

Quote:

The photo ... depicts a photo of a nude girl snapping a photo of her reflection in a mirror. In the screenshot, the girl, who is listed as a 15-year-old from the United States

BeautyMeter is an app that functions similarly to Hot or Not and allows users to upload their own photos to be rated by others. The developers of the application do not review each uploaded photo, so there appears to be no particular filter for content. They do claim that each photo is tagged with each iPhone's unique ID so that illegal content can be traced back to the owner of the phone, however.

Apple has not commented, but the app has been pulled from the App Store. According a lawyer cited in the article, neither Apple nor the developers are likely liable for the content:

Quote:

Funnymals and Apple will probably not be held liable for the content because they would be protected by the Communications Decency Act, according to Mark Rasch, a lawyer and founder of computer security consulting firm Secure IT Experts. That’s because when Apple approved the app, it did not contain the prohibited content. Instead, the app downloads images off the internet, thus placing the responsibility on the people who use the app

Article Link: More iPhone App Controversy with Alleged Underaged Nudity

TuffLuffJimmy · Jul 2, 2009, 02:31 PM

you spelled beauty wrong in the app description.

And it's too bad Apple will let this through, but pulls the plug on NetShare.

arn · Jul 2, 2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuffLuffJimmy

you spelled beauty wrong in the app description.

And it's too bad Apple will let this through, but pulls the plug on NetShare.

well, apple did let both through and then pulled the plug on both.

arn

TuffLuffJimmy · Jul 2, 2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

well, apple did let both through and then pulled the plug on both.

arn

That's true. It just seems like the process, as many have pointed out, is a little out of whack.

Compile 'em all · Jul 2, 2009, 02:36 PM

With the review process being a freakin black box with no clear guidelines these stories will continue. According to Ethan Nicolas the dev of iShoot, Apple have been sitting on his app for close to 2 effing months. The avg. approval for updates is now 20 days. WTF!!

dscuber9000 · Jul 2, 2009, 02:37 PM

I'm confused. Isn't there a blanket ban on nudity on the iPhone App Store? Or with the new app rating system, is nudity allowed and this app was only pulled because it had a minor in it?

You would think Apple would have a blanket ban on nudity to avoid bad publicity. Who puts porn on their phone, anyway? You take it to public places!

ltldrummerboy · Jul 2, 2009, 02:38 PM

Morals and laws aside, it seems like bad business for Apple to let apps like these in. Between the risk of incidents like this and right-wing outrage I would think they'd just deny all "raunchy" apps.

branjosef · Jul 2, 2009, 02:39 PM

Yet nothing about the girl's role in posting a nude photo of herself to the app. Oh that's right she cant possibly be blamed because she is a minor and therefore exempt from any level of responsibility for her actions.

g00dbye · Jul 2, 2009, 02:39 PM

Pics or it didn't happen.

Drumjim85 · Jul 2, 2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g00dbye

Pics or it didn't happen.

the linked article in the story has a picture.

TurboSC · Jul 2, 2009, 02:43 PM

knowing you have an app with user submitted content, why wouldn't someone review it before it went online... that's just beyond stupid on the developers part.

ChoMomma · Jul 2, 2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboSC

knowing you have an app with user submitted content, why wouldn't someone review it before it went online... that's just beyond stupid on the developers part.

Knowing that the app is all about user submitted content, why not let the users police the content? mmmm... perhaps a link/button for "remove this content as inappropriate or illegal"

Ironduke · Jul 2, 2009, 02:48 PM

Dirty Filthy Beggars!

rpaloalto · Jul 2, 2009, 02:50 PM

screen shots of Hot or Not
http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=47880

kamiboy · Jul 2, 2009, 02:51 PM

Ah, kids today... tis a great age to live in for sure.

TuffLuffJimmy · Jul 2, 2009, 02:54 PM

Why can't they just call this app what it is? Girls with Low Self-esteem.

ChoMomma · Jul 2, 2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpaloalto

screen shots of Hot or Not
http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=47880

That could definitely be used to kill downtime while sitting in traffic

MacVixen · Jul 2, 2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by branjosef

Yet nothing about the girl's role in posting a nude photo of herself to the app. Oh that's right she cant possibly be blamed because she is a minor and therefore exempt from any level of responsibility for her actions.

Ain't that the truth. Poor helpless child I'm sure was *competely* innocent in uploading a nude photo of herself

Meanwhile, another website, headlines the story as Apple has suddenly entered the child pornography business

53buick · Jul 2, 2009, 02:56 PM

what the hell kind of pointless app is that anyways?

ChoMomma · Jul 2, 2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53buick

what the hell kind of pointless app is that anyways?

Just like the pointless websites that inspired them.

gcmexico · Jul 2, 2009, 03:02 PM

I don't know...what's wrong with these kids? I'm no one to preach morality, but there's just something wrong with young girls thinking this is cool...I'm a high school teacher, and I can guarantee you that most of the girls in my high school would do this and think it's awesome....it's just weird...if I had a daughter I would die if she posted herself like that

The Samurai · Jul 2, 2009, 03:05 PM

lol

nice to see these stories making it to the front page [not].

3NV7 · Jul 2, 2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltldrummerboy

Morals and laws aside, it seems like bad business for Apple to let apps like these in. Between the risk of incidents like this and right-wing outrage I would think they'd just deny all "raunchy" apps.

The left is *just* as capable of faux "outrage", particularly when they can beat the "think of the children" drum.

iCantwait · Jul 2, 2009, 03:21 PM

lol, jailbait in more ways then one

gr8whtd0pe · Jul 2, 2009, 03:22 PM

That pic wasn't even taken with an iPhone, Who knows how old the girl really is or where the original image came from.

Jul 2, 2009, 02:31 PM	#2
TuffLuffJimmy macrumors 601 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR	you spelled beauty wrong in the app description. And it's too bad Apple will let this through, but pulls the plug on NetShare. __________________ "Next PM I get from you about this, and it gets posted as my signature." --LTD

Jul 2, 2009, 02:36 PM	#5
Compile 'em all macrumors 68020 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 127.0.0.1	With the review process being a freakin black box with no clear guidelines these stories will continue. According to Ethan Nicolas the dev of iShoot, Apple have been sitting on his app for close to 2 effing months. The avg. approval for updates is now 20 days. WTF!! __________________ Apps: Facebook a Quote Site: http://www.madebypharaohs.com

Jul 2, 2009, 02:37 PM	#6
dscuber9000 macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana, US	I'm confused. Isn't there a blanket ban on nudity on the iPhone App Store? Or with the new app rating system, is nudity allowed and this app was only pulled because it had a minor in it? You would think Apple would have a blanket ban on nudity to avoid bad publicity. Who puts porn on their phone, anyway? You take it to public places! __________________ iPod touch (8GB) 2nd Generation MacBook Pro 13" 2.26GHz Please visit my video game forums! The Gaming Coalition

Jul 2, 2009, 02:38 PM	#7
ltldrummerboy macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kenai Peninsula	Morals and laws aside, it seems like bad business for Apple to let apps like these in. Between the risk of incidents like this and right-wing outrage I would think they'd just deny all "raunchy" apps. __________________ New to AT&T (30 days or less)? Want a $25 credit towards your next bill? PM me and we can both save!

Jul 2, 2009, 02:39 PM	#8
branjosef macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In safety town	Yet nothing about the girl's role in posting a nude photo of herself to the app. Oh that's right she cant possibly be blamed because she is a minor and therefore exempt from any level of responsibility for her actions. __________________ My grandma DID get run over by a reindeer!!! ...And she WAS on her way to our house Christmas Eve

Jul 2, 2009, 02:39 PM	#9
g00dbye macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Raleigh/Boone, NC	Pics or it didn't happen.

Jul 2, 2009, 02:43 PM	#11
TurboSC macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California	knowing you have an app with user submitted content, why wouldn't someone review it before it went online... that's just beyond stupid on the developers part. __________________ www.sciphone.net - The best iPhone wallpapers and applications on the Internet. Now serving: 8280+ Wallpapers \| 38,000+ Applications.

Jul 2, 2009, 02:48 PM	#13
Ironduke macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2006	Dirty Filthy Beggars! __________________ 13" Unibody Macbook Collectors Edition 2.4GHz, 4GB Ram, 320GB HD - iPhone 3G

Jul 2, 2009, 02:50 PM	#14
rpaloalto macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Palo Alto CA.	screen shots of Hot or Not http://www.xsellize.com/showthread.php?t=47880 __________________ 2008 Mac Pro, 23" ACD, 20" Aluminum iMac, Dell Mini Hackintosh, iBook g3, eMac + several iPods

Jul 2, 2009, 02:51 PM	#15
kamiboy macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2007	Ah, kids today... tis a great age to live in for sure.

Jul 2, 2009, 02:54 PM	#16
TuffLuffJimmy macrumors 601 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR	Why can't they just call this app what it is? Girls with Low Self-esteem. __________________ "Next PM I get from you about this, and it gets posted as my signature." --LTD

Jul 2, 2009, 02:56 PM	#19
53buick macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: athens, ga	what the hell kind of pointless app is that anyways?

Jul 2, 2009, 03:02 PM	#21
gcmexico macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New York City	I don't know...what's wrong with these kids? I'm no one to preach morality, but there's just something wrong with young girls thinking this is cool...I'm a high school teacher, and I can guarantee you that most of the girls in my high school would do this and think it's awesome....it's just weird...if I had a daughter I would die if she posted herself like that __________________ PB G3, Imac G4, Imac G5, MacMini Media Center, MBA, TV, 3gS Iphone, 4th gen Nano, Drobo

Jul 2, 2009, 03:05 PM	#22
The Samurai macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow	lol nice to see these stories making it to the front page [not]. __________________ My YouTube Page - Reviews & Unboxings Twitta

Jul 2, 2009, 03:21 PM	#24
iCantwait macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia	lol, jailbait in more ways then one __________________ There truly is something beautiful about seeing a 5gb iPod plugged into an iBook

Jul 2, 2009, 03:22 PM	#25
gr8whtd0pe macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: belle, wv	That pic wasn't even taken with an iPhone, Who knows how old the girl really is or where the original image came from. __________________ - Kirk 16gb Wht 3g iPhone; 20" iMac (2.4 - 320gb - 4Gb); 2nd Gen 2gb Nano (for the car) Friends band: Jeff Ellis http://www.wvmotorsports.com

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