Apple Now Blocking 'Overtly Sexual' Apps from App Store

[Chupa Chupa]

The thing that makes it more complex is that they are preventing you from (legally) using a boob app on their device at all, which is much more serious.

EDIT: These applications don't seem to have been blocked from the UK AppStore. Well we are less prudish about these things.

Wrong. The U.S. Constitution demands the U.S. Government allow citizens the right to free speech. It doesn't require non-government entities to do so, however. It's why a bar can eject you for telling a cocktail waitress she looks hot. Please don't argue with me on this -- I passed the Bar and you apparently don't really understand the basics of the U.S. Constitution.

 

[mccldwll]

Thank God I have a Droid.

You why are you wasting your time here--other than that it's part of your aapl bashing job?

 

[nwcs]

Personally, I'm glad to see the adult apps go. Or if Apple had a way to mark them in such a way as to allow a global exclude in iTunes for people who don't need such things.

 

[AdeFowler]

Personally I think Apple should allow "porn" apps, maybe make them have their own app-store category though, and block it for <17's.

This. I thought that was the whole point of adding parental guidance to the iPhone and App store. Apple baffle me sometimes

 

[SteveSparks]

Good riddance.

I'm as raging a liberal as anyone and love freedom of speech, but seeing iBoobs or HoxSexSuperHotGirls in the top apps makes me really lose faith in humanity and I'd rather see more worthwhile apps (or at least more...content-heavy apps) be celebrated instead.

I agree. There are plenty of places on the Web to have that content. Apple is not blocking web sites, just setting an expecatation on the Apple Store.

I would suspect that the Board of Directors at apple decided that they did not want to make 30% of revenue generated by soft core porn. (

 

[yg17]

I see. And you say the same thing to the manager of Target because they don't sell [insert product name here] you want to buy? Apple isn't stopping you from buying a boob app, it's stopping you from buying a boob app in their store. If you want to buy one in the Android or M$ store, you are free to do so, provided they are sold there. There is no Gd given or Constitutional right to purchase boob apps in the iTMS store.

No, I don't say the same thing to a Target manager because if there's a product they don't sell, I an go elsewhere and buy it. But if I have an iPhone, my only choice for apps is the App Store. Or, I can jailbreak but Apple doesn't like that either. It's an apples and oranges comparison.

 

[mdelaney123]

The first problem is that it is ridiculous to ban apps and leave Safari for example on there, because you sure as hell can get to "worse stuff" aka real pron using that.

The second thing is, of course it is their legal right to do it .. however we as user can be vocal about it?

I find this funny. You are being "vocal" about your displeasure that Apple is not allowing you to buy iBoob type apps on you iPhone.

Would you be "vocal" about this to your boss? Your Parents? Your co-Workers?

"Honey, Mom, Dad, Boss, Apple is just pissing me off! They took iBoobs and iGiggleBoobs off the app store! I am going to get an Android phone ASAP so I can purchase these apps!"

LOL

 

[nwcs]

I don't give a damn about these apps or Apple move. But, hey, if these apps are in the top 25 all the time this is what WE are, and we shouldn't be afraid of seeing ourselves in a mirror.

It may be what people are in general but it surely isn't what I am so why do I need to be subjected to what other people are?

 

[yg17]

You why are you wasting your time here--other than that it's part of your aapl bashing job?

Yes, how dare he say something bad about Apple.

What's next? Is Safari going to start censoring websites that might criticize the almighty Apple?

 

[iofgondor]

I am not a huge fan of apple but they have decided THEY don't want to sell certain stuff in THEIR store.
What is the big deal? Imagine owning a store and a group of people demand you sell something, but you do not believe it fits your business model. Should you be forced to sell it.
Censorship, cmon really?

Yes you should be bloody forced to sell it since you decided that you are also gonna be the only store in town allowed to do business.

 

[rcs128]

It's a smart move for Apple to try to keep the app store a useful, viable, family friendly place. Why? I was showing my mom and my wife all the cool stuff on my iPhone... banking apps, redlaser, etc. and then I took them to the App store to look for stuff they might want on an iPhone. And both got one look at all the "top" apps of boobs, farts and crap and were immediately turned off to Apple and the whole concept. So instead of maybe two more iPhone sales apple instead got a little tarnish and two people that decided they can live with their blackberrys and sprint phones. It will only get worse with the iPad... it's got to appeal to mainstream users, not little boys and perverts.

And it's NOT censorship. It's Apple's Store and they can do what they want with it so that it reflects their own business ambitions, moral standards or whatever. You don't like, it? Develop your own mobile platform and build your own app store.

 

[mccldwll]

But that's the core of the issue. The reason for app approval was to make sure it plays nice within the system in terms of CPU, memory, no viruses, etc. The minute they start making value judgments, for any reason, they have declared themselves the morality police. They decided to draw a line. We can argue if there should be a line, and if so, where it should be drawn.

Care to point to where it ever was said that was the sole reason for the app approval process? And making value judgments on app acceptance doesn't make one the morality police. Unless you let everything on, you have to draw lines.

 

[mdelaney123]

Amazon.com returns 788 books with the title "boobs". There are 151 children's books with the word "cock". Apple have gone mad. This is a form of censorship that is, frankly, abhorrent, and is likely to turn people away from Apple's products. Some common sense needs to be applied here. .

LOL. Wow... Just Wow...

What is your point? So there are 788 books on Amazon with the word boob in the title. So what?

Children's books with the work cock in the title? Like "The Cock and the Hen?"

And "turn people away from Apple's products" ... Really?

Man, I can't buy iBoobs and iGiggleBoobs on my iPhone! THATS IT! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER APPLE PRODUCT!

Yes, I can see that happening.

 

[speedriff]

Wtf?

Seriously? People are happy about censorship? Listen, if you don't like it don't download it. It is that simple. The app store is ridiculous anyway. There are hundreds of pages of apps for each category, who goes through them all? I sure don't as most of them are just variations of the same thing. Personally I wouldn't get an iBoobs app but I also don't want someone telling me I can't. Remember that word...Freedom?

 

[yg17]

Man, I can't buy iBoobs and iGiggleBoobs on my iPhone! THATS IT! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER APPLE PRODUCT!

Yes, I can see that happening.

I certainly won't be buying another iPhone at the very least, that's for sure. And it's not because I want any of those boob apps, I don't, but I don't want a platform where someone else decides what's best for me.

 

[SteveSparks]

Yes you should be bloody forced to sell it since you decided that you are also gonna be the only store in town allowed to do business.

If you want iBoobs then purchase a platform that allows iBoobs. That's free market.

I am always amazed at people who buy Apple, Apple, Apple and then complain about the company and how it does business. If you don't like it then stop doing business with Apple.

Apple makes billions of dollars, is a not a government agency, thus can choose to run its business according to how board of directory decide. The only way to effect a change is to STOP buying their stuff.

That being said, I'm getting 2 iPads.

 

[padrongus]

It's a smart move for Apple to try to keep the app store a useful, viable, family friendly place. Why? I was showing my mom and my wife all the cool stuff on my iPhone... banking apps, redlaser, etc. and then I took them to the App store to look for stuff they might want on an iPhone. And both got one look at all the "top" apps of boobs, farts and crap and were immediately turned off to Apple and the whole concept. So instead of maybe two more iPhone sales apple instead got a little tarnish and two people that decided they can live with their blackberrys and sprint phones. It will only get worse with the iPad... it's got to appeal to mainstream users, not little boys and perverts.

And it's NOT censorship. It's Apple's Store and they can do what they want with it so that it reflects their own business ambitions, moral standards or whatever. You don't like, it? Develop your own mobile platform and build your own app store.

Very well said. however Apple could simplify this by adding a parental rating switch that hides these apps. Right now the parental switch only prevents you from buying them - but you can still see them.

 

[mdelaney123]

But that's the core of the issue. The reason for app approval was to make sure it plays nice within the system in terms of CPU, memory, no viruses, etc. The minute they start making value judgments, for any reason, they have declared themselves the morality police. They decided to draw a line. We can argue if there should be a line, and if so, where it should be drawn.

Every single store in the US does this!

Give me a break!

Wal-Mart has the right to choose what they sell, as does every other store in the US!!!!

How is Apple's App store any different?

 

[alent1234]

Good. You have to draw the line somewhere. If you want mobile porn there's Safari browser.

but the lack of flash limits your choice of websites

 

[yg17]

Every single store in the US does this!

Give me a break!

Wal-Mart has the right to choose what they sell, as does every other store in the US!!!!

How is Apple's App store any different?

If I have an iPhone, I have to use the App Store. I don't have to shop at Wal-Mart.

 

[mdelaney123]

Thank God I have a Droid.

Boo YA!

Now you can run iGiggleBoobs all you want!

You are sooo lucky!

 

[alent1234]

No, I don't say the same thing to a Target manager because if there's a product they don't sell, I an go elsewhere and buy it. But if I have an iPhone, my only choice for apps is the App Store. Or, I can jailbreak but Apple doesn't like that either. It's an apples and oranges comparison.

or get a nexus one. as soon as it hit the market there was a porn app for it. forgot the name, but you can find it in the android central forums

 

[tatonka]

I find this funny. You are being "vocal" about your displeasure that Apple is not allowing you to buy iBoob type apps on you iPhone.

Would you be "vocal" about this to your boss? Your Parents? Your co-Workers?

"Honey, Mom, Dad, Boss, Apple is just pissing me off! They took iBoobs and iGiggleBoobs off the app store! I am going to get an Android phone ASAP so I can purchase these apps!"

LOL

Well we just had a discussion/rant in the office .. so yes I certainly talk to some people about it .. doesn't mean I have to talk to everybody in my life about it, does it?
Besides this is an Apple focused website, could there be a better place on the web to discuss Apple related stuff?

Sorry I think I am missing your point.

T.

 

[Kevenly]

Apple is the new 90's Nintendo.

Censorship is for people who hate freedom.

 

[*LTD*]

but the lack of flash limits your choice of websites

Don't tell me we're at the point now where you need moving pictures to get off!! Gimme a break.

For those who consider surfing porn a priority on a daily basis, there are other options, and they should take advantage of them, and quite frankly, should stay there.