Apple Pulls Telegram Messenger From App Store for 'Inappropriate Content' [Update: Returned]

[EdT]

You may not need more information, but I do... for the very reason you state
Many things are transferred by Messages and through email and other apps yet they are still available
What makes this different?
Yes, I need more information to make a judgement about Apple's action here

I guess I would need to know what subject the inappropriate content was.

In large parts of the world criticizing the government would officially be considered inappropriate.

Apple wanting apps to have methods of reporting ‘inappropriate’ material makes sense, but since Apple also states app requirements of removing posts and banning people, who decides what is inappropriate and who should be banned? And are those agencies/people held accountable for their decisions in some public (and verifiable) fashion?

If this action was taken because someone or a group of people were harassing or threatening someone I don’t think MOST people would be upset at this action.

But I do want to know who is watching the watchers.

 

[dannys1]

You may not need more information, but I do... for the very reason you state
Many things are transferred by Messages and through email and other apps yet they are still available
What makes this different?
Yes, I need more information to make a judgement about Apple's action here

It says in the article why this was pulled and the others which allow you to do it weren't

It tells them exactly what they need to implement to go back into the app store too.
[doublepost=1517494402][/doublepost]

I guess this means they’ll be shutting down all the “dating” apps then.

No - because the article shows exactly what the app needs to have to continue and dating apps have all those features.

Are people purposely being stupid in this thread? It's not rocket science. They haven't banned the app due to any specific content, just read the article properly it's all explained very simply.

 

[cjbryce]

You guys must not use telegram because you have no idea what youre talking about. Its not just a messaging app like imessage. Its got tons of groups which are like the chat rooms of old. Full of stuff being spammed to group members who then can do little to stop it.

That is why it’s gone. The rules are pretty clear that users of apps with “user generated content” need to be able to filter what they get. Twitter and Facebook do it just fine. Telegram should update the app and then I’m sure it’ll be back.

Ah - an informed view. Pretty rare on the Internet. You should get a medal.

From Telegram's own FAQs:-

Our API is open, and we welcome developers to create their own Telegram apps. We also have a Bot API, a platform for developers that allows anyone to easily build specialized tools for Telegram, integrate any services, and even accept payments from users around the world.

Sounds to me like this possible could enable devs to build Telegram apps to spam groups with no ability for users to opt-out.

 

[alex00100]

Apple should shut down internet, it is filled with inappropriate content!

LOL they would if they could.

 

[RichTF]

Grindr tho ...

Haha, indeed. Dating apps are probably the closest to being “primarily” used for pornography (as opposed to something like Safari, which has open easy access to mountains of the stuff, but which is “primarily” used for browsing non-porn sites…at least during the day).

But then I guess that’s why apps like Grindr have to jump through ridiculous hoops to brand themselves as wholesome “dating” apps, even when we know they’re not.

Then again, from a personal perspective I don’t think that sending rude selfies is really “porn”. Maybe I’ve just spent too long living on the internets though.

 

[ck2875]

I don’t think that sending rude selfies is really “porn”.

...It is rude though.

 

[blackcrayon]

Most importantly, it looks like it'll be back shortly with a few more features added to the app. The sky isn't falling.

 

[Cloudkicker]

It's anonymity is a problem. Especially in lack of personal details in signing up. Same with Wickr.

http://www.news18.com/news/india/ma...up-involved-in-child-pornography-1612635.html

However, the cops find it difficult to identify the other members of the group due to the privacy policy of Telegram.

 

[b0fh666]

Facebook Messenger? I'm not sure if you are trying to be ironic or not.

you just replied to an absolutely useless comment

 

[xero9]

wtf. makes no sense ... any messenger, including iMessage could be used for in-appropriate content. what about Grinder or Tinder

Tim would never allow Grinder to be pulled, lol.

 

[Romke]

I wasn't surprised about this decision from Apple.

Recently I was evaluating the best IM app to use with my droid friends. I'm using telegram for some time now but I didn't test the 'bot' feature yet. With bots you are essentially chatting with a computer algorithm (anybody can create one, this is not moderated).

So I was testing out this example bot telegram is promoting on their blog called @RateStickerBot which seemed like a useful bot that could provide you with stickers to use in the app. First you get some nice stickers, then I got swear word stickers, then plain porn images, ... even after de-rating those, others kept coming.

As a side note: from time to time I get pictures with flowers & hearts drawn on them from my niece who is only 5. Kids KNOW how to use these things. Unlike eg. Safari: try to get pornography out of it if you don't know how to write/type... (even though I would never give safari to kids, whereas an IM could do no harm right?)

I find it strange that people require Apple to give an explanation about what they ban or not. Apple will never expose the mistakes their customers are making, they are responsible for their own mistakes.

(Totally aside: I found Wire to be the most user friendly/well thought out/secure IM app)

 

[Abazigal]

Seems the issue is due to poor filters in the gif gallery app making it extremely easy to access inappropriate images.

https://reddit.com/r/apple/comments/7uipsu/telegram_removed_from_apples_app_store_due_to/

I expect the app to be back up soon with better filters in place.

 

[JosephAW]

I didn't realize that ВКонтакте and Telegram were related but I knew something was up when TG was using the same graphics as VK.

 

[zorinlynx]

Seems the issue is due to poor filters in the gif gallery app making it extremely easy to access inappropriate images.

https://reddit.com/r/apple/comments/7uipsu/telegram_removed_from_apples_app_store_due_to/

I expect the app to be back up soon with better filters in place.

I hope this is the case. It would at least be a good reason, even if I'm still upset that Apple is getting involved in something they really shouldn't be.

 

[NomadicTy]

Another Silicon Valley company thinking they should make the decision on what is objectionable or not. SJW's ran amock. Apple will soon be the next google.

 

[canesalato]

This is CRAZY!!! Incredibly user hostile! I work with telegram and stay in contact with my family oversea with it! Apple has lost its mind!

 

[ChromeAce]

You don't need more information. We know how these apps works and we know that anything can transferred using those apps. I'm pretty sure there are people using iMessage for child pornography.

Mostly children.

 

[Heineken]

It's anonymity is a problem. Especially in lack of personal details in signing up. Same with Wickr.

http://www.news18.com/news/india/ma...up-involved-in-child-pornography-1612635.html

Anonymity is kind of the whole point of it.
[doublepost=1517501773][/doublepost]

Seems the issue is due to poor filters in the gif gallery app making it extremely easy to access inappropriate images.

https://reddit.com/r/apple/comments/7uipsu/telegram_removed_from_apples_app_store_due_to/

I expect the app to be back up soon with better filters in place.

Inappropriate images? Such as?

 

[ChromeAce]

Where is the adult filter control for Safari and Mail?

 

[zorinlynx]

The app is back in the store.

I suspect this was a mistake by an overzealous employee. The removal of an app with such a large userbase is something that should be taken seriously and only done after warning the developer multiple times.

 

[itsmilo]

App is back

 

[Lilok]

Just to note, I had the same rejection by Apple during my submission of one of my apps. This isn't about the service could be used for inappropriate content, but rather there is no way to protect the user from it.

The developer just has to implement a report/block button as a feature and thats it.

That makes sense. I think it's really just as simple as that... Thanks!

A friend of mine got her first iPhone (5s) today (actually, her first smartphone ever...she had a nokia 3310 xD ) and because she doesn't like WhatsApp i wanted to install telegram... But well, since you can't sideload apps on the iPhone, signal it is.

Great, I switched to android two month ago and now i have to deal with apples **** again xD

 

[H2SO4]

Apple is just being Apple - plain dumb.
Now I suggest that Apple removes icloud photos as well, since we all know what some people keep on their icloud (fapenning). And iMessage as well, because this can be used for a lot of bad things. But when I think about it, voice calls are probably the worst....

So glad I jumped ship. Not returning to iOS anymore.

This, Apple need to remove Youtube as that also can be used, and has in the past for inappropriate material. Sarcasm of course but where does it stop?

 

[c0ppo]

This, Apple need to remove Youtube as that also can be used, and has in the past for inappropriate material. Sarcasm of course but where does it stop?

Answer to your question is easy. It stops where it suits Apple. Youtube has so much controversy that all other services combined couldn't counter it. I mean, they were making money on videos of child abuse.

But then again, does Apple care? Nope. But they will remove Telegram and alike without even giving a reason.
This is Apple now.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Inappropriate for whom? I've lived through two wars the country thought it was appropriate for us to experience firsthand. But please, shield my eyes from the offensive internet content.