Apple Now Blocking 'Overtly Sexual' Apps from App Store

[ChazUK]

Google did: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/24/googles-nexus-one-censors-your-voice-to-text-input-we-you/

What the ****? What kind of ****ing wankers censor ****?

As far as I know, that measure was taken to prevent text to speech going awry. "Just taking the kids to feed the ducks on the f*ck pond" "Just been to the bank to see my wanker"

I can still type swearwords on my Nexus one.

 

[polaris20]

As with anything that has to do with the Apple ecosystem, if you don't like it, don't buy it. If you don't like it, develop for another platform, of which there are plenty.

My Macs, and every Mac I'm responsible for, is rock solid and reliable. The OS X is amazingly solid, and allows me to seamlessly work in Linux and Windows environments efficiently.

The iPod Touch, as much as I hate to admit it, has proven itself to be a more solid media and internet device than the Droid I have.

Until Macs begins to be a lesser value for me, I will continue to buy them. Until iPod Touch/iPhone etc. begin to be a lesser value for me, I will continue to buy them as well.

It's not like there's one computer company making one OS, one mobile phone company making one OS. There are a number of capable choices.

 

[rogerowankenobi]

Be real!

Apple wants to sell millions of iPods and iPads to children. They have figured out that they must clean up their act or millions of kids will not be allowed to "get" these devices. They're not suddenly acting morally, judgmentally, or more ethically. It's all about making more money!

 

[polaris20]

Apple wants to sell millions of iPods and iPads to children. They have figured out that they must clean up their act or millions of kids will not be allowed to "get" these devices. They're not suddenly acting morally, judgmentally, or more ethically. It's all about making more money!

Obviously Apple isn't altruistic, however I thought the point of the parental controls was to avoid putting "questionable" material on there?

 

[logandzwon]

I do have a problem with banning "inappropriate" apps based on sexual themes. Even more so that they are not filtering violent apps.

I do not really have a problem with fire walling AO apps from accounts that have not proven age, (via CC,) and specifically opted-in. Even PB requires you opt-in to get to the stuff tagged as adult.

 

[elev8d]

The right to sell

I think most of these people think they own the App Store, or have a right to sell things on it, like its some kind of civil rights issue. Hence we have people talking about Saudi Arabia and pulling Harry Potter from public libraries and the like.

I would like to see these people walk into any big box store and demand shelf space for their product.

Also, I think the "porn is mainstream and as wholesome for our children as YooHoo" crowd doesn't understand that sometimes a company doesn't want to sell porn because they object morally and ethically to selling porn, not because marketing couldn't figure out how it fits in with their bottom line or target demographic.

The problem I see is that as a consumer I have the option of only purchasing items from the app store and not an open marketplace for a device that is capable of handling any variety of items. As a consumer I want access to any app made, so long as it is not malicious.

I would also prefer if the Adult apps were filtered to a specific section of the app store, because I have little interest in them.

I think one of the issues that apple is facing is that everyone has access to the apps if they have an iPhone and parents can't control what their children access on these phones.

 

[H. Flower]

Honestly, I cant believe how many people are anti-naked women. And it seems they are guys!! Speaks volumes of the Apple crowd. Being fortunate enough to come from an affluent part of the world.. I still cant say I would ever see/hear this from descent guys from around here.

Nobody in this thread stated they are anti-naked women.

 

[pr5owner]

i wonder why apple doesn't lock down OSX too, only allowing you to install "Approved" applications and only allowing you to view "approved" web pages.

 

[MorphingDragon]

i wonder why apple doesn't lock down OSX too, only allowing you to install "Approved" applications and only allowing you to view "approved" web pages.

Because the results of miscoding aren't as severe.

Most of the Approval process is making sure the Application runs without severe critical bugs or memory leaks. Otherwise there would be same day rejections and approvals.

 

[cmaier]

Because the results of miscoding aren't as severe.

Most of the Approval process is making sure the Application runs without severe critical bugs or memory leaks. Otherwise there would be same day rejections and approvals.

There are. I got an approval within an hour of submitting on Friday. I have never received a rejection for a memory leak. The vast majority of rejections I have received have been content-based.

 

[MorphingDragon]

There are. I got an approval within an hour of submitting on Friday. I have never received a rejection for a memory leak. The vast majority of rejections I have received have been content-based.

But don't you write law apps.

 

[cmaier]

But don't you write law apps.

Mostly. Some healthcare apps and games, too. And you should be confused - Apple actually finds all sorts of dumb reasons to object apps, and with a couple of notable exceptions they didn't have anything to do with crashy behavior or memory leaks (in my experience, anyway, having submitted hundreds of apps/app updates).

 

[ccdan]

One has to be seriously mentally ill to be offended by something that just suggests some sexual content! Unfortunately, many, way too many americans have a taliban-like mentality...

I think one of the issues that apple is facing is that everyone has access to the apps if they have an iPhone and parents can't control what their children access on these phones.

And if children come across adult content, WHAT?

yeah, I know, tons of retards imagine that it has some negative effect... well, scientifically, it doesn't have any effect! retaded liars who invent fake studies to show otherwise, should be shot dead!

 

[Journojulz]

Another couple of possible reasons for this decision.

1. Apples best salespeople are its customers.

Every iPad is going to be passed around hundreds of different hands in the first few years
Do you want your parents, children, grandparents, bosses, subordinates pressing random apps and being greeted with the last image you whacked off to?

tech has *generally* been male dominated - but the iPad is designed for everyone - and that includes..... women

Now - your modern woman is not going to be offended by seeing these apps - but neither will she be giggling and showing it to her girly friends.

It won't be a hit, just a waste of time and evidence that you are a bit "adolescent". If she is your boss, it may not cover you in glory.

Which leads me onto

2. Life on the modern campus

Rules about sexual harassment have gone nuts since i was at uni in the early 90s.

If this tablet goes as mainstream as sci-fi has been telling us - then the opportunity for gross misbehaviour and bullying will not be lost on those people we all remember too well from school.

(lets just make the obvious assumption that the iPad will have a camera with 12 months)

With the wonders of modern tech, a student could snap a pic of his female teacher, set her boobs 'a wobbling', be filmed by a student sitting behind, have that pasted on the uni's facebook page and be automatically expelled for misconduct before the original giggles had died down.

Unlikely? yes

Unlikely multiplied by a million? Rather more likely.

-------------

The immature, vulgar or bully will use any tech to spread their dark deeds - and there is little anyone can do. You can't ban paper and pencils.

But stopping app that have no other merit than whacking off or causing mischief?

Sounds like a mature move to me of a tech company with its eyes on a market outside the average gadget buying (statistically male).

 

[Chappers]

No one has to sell you anything.

Just because the local bakery has space on the shell - doesn't mean they have to sell you pron.

 

[age234]

Sounds like a mature move to me of a tech company with its eyes on a market outside the average gadget buying (statistically male).

Yes. It's a smart business move. Apple is courting the medical industry and who knows who else. What company wants their professional apps showing up next to trash that appeals only to the Beavis and Butthead "heh heh heh" demographic? It degrades the entire store to the level of a high school locker room.

The App Store has been closed since the start. People knew this going in, but they complain about it. If you don't like it, then develop a web app.

 

[texasjake]

Good call

Apple made a great decision. Those apps don't fit Apple's image, and they don't want the iPhone/iPod becoming known more and more for sexual related content. Good call.
Plus those apps are offensive/demeaning to some people, most people.
Helps me because now I can let my 11 year old nephew browse the app store without having to monitor his every click. The iPhone is a wonderful device, those apps would bring the wrong reputation and cheapen the brand.
No iPorn for me please.

 

[dejo]

Helps me because now I can let my 11 year old nephew browse the app store without having to monitor his every click

Well, he can still click to the Playboy, Hooters, and SI Swimsuit apps, so...

 

[Acorn]

good. there are so many useless apps in the store right now. the slogan should be more like "theres a useless app for that". imho

maybe they need a complex level. if something is overly simplistic it is classified as novelty and goes into the novelty bin. an entire section devoted to fart, sex, and other "novelty" behavior.

if they want to keep the garbage apps at least give em their own section

 

[teiresias]

So somehow Playboy and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit apps are exempt from this rule? Seems ridiculous and completely arbitrary.

 

[Journojulz]

Not if you are looking from from the business angle.

It is always going to be a blurred line - so the established businesses will always have a stronger cultural cachet.

You have to draw the line somewhere.

This is not a democracy - if you don't like it - vote with your palm.

 

[whooleytoo]

This is not a democracy - if you don't like it - vote with your palm.

I thought that was the problem in the first place.. Boom boom!

It is strange, when you consider people were complaining about so many of these apps clogging up the Top 25 lists - obviously they weren't too unpopular. IF it was purely a business decision (not a given), then Apple must have reckoned current future sales lost outweigh the substantial sales of these apps.

 

[Journojulz]

I think its a canny move .

The current gadget dollar is very skewed to the male adolescent.
(Bless us)

By trying distance the iPhone/Pad from the traditional userbase they open up a huge potential of non techy and often female consumers.

Today is a great day to grow up.

 

[madmax_2069]

I am sorry but Apple should of had a show adult opt in option in iTunes instead of removing the said apps.

They should also put in a useless app filter or catagory. that would help to stop the confusion.

 

[Journojulz]

They already have an "Adult" store.

I don't think they are going to open a "Adolescent" store anytime soon.

"Warning! Immature content - you must be as horny as a teenager to download."