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

[MacRumors]

Apple has pulled popular encrypted messenger app Telegram from the App Store, following reports of "inappropriate content" hosted on the platform that violated Apple's developer guidelines for iOS apps.

Users first noted Telegram's absence late on Wednesday via Reddit, after App Store searches for the app began returning results for Viber, Skype, and Messenger instead. Both the original app and experimental offshoot Telegram X still don't appear on the App Store at the time of writing.

The exact reason for the apps' removal isn't yet clear, but Telegram founder Pavel Durov responded to a tweet on Thursday by explaining that the company was alerted by Apple to "inappropriate content" made available to users of both apps, which led to them being pulled.

We were alerted by Apple that inappropriate content was made available to our users and both apps were taken off the App Store. Once we have protections in place we expect the apps to be back on the App Store. - Pavel Durov (@durov) February 1, 2018

Apple's review guidelines include a section on user safety that prohibits "upsetting or offensive content", while a sub-section covering user-generated content requires that the relevant apps include:

o A method for filtering objectionable material from being posted to the app
o A mechanism to report offensive content and timely responses to concerns
o The ability to block abusive users from the service
o Published contact information so users can easily reach you

Apps with user-generated content or services that end up being used primarily for pornographic content, objectification of real people (e.g. "hot-or-not" voting), making physical threats, or bullying do not belong on the App Store and may be removed without notice.

We'll update this post if we hear more details on the situation.

Update: At around 8:00 a.m. PT, company CEO Pavel Durov tweeted that Telegram is now back on the iOS App Store.

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

 

[YaBe]

We were alerted by Apple that inappropriate content was made available to our users and both apps were taken off the App Store.

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

 

[Heineken]

So stupid. 1984?

 

[scrapesleon]

The app still working on my iPad

 

[YaBe]

The app still working on my iPad

I guess it means pulled from the store not from your device...

Users first noted Telegram's absence late on Wednesday via Reddit, after App Store searches for the app began returning results for Viber, Skype, and Messenger instead. Both the original app and experimental offshoot Telegram X still don't appear on the App Store at the time of writing.

 

[itsmilo]

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

 

[MacDawg]

Doesn't sound like a lot of information is available
Hard to make a judgement based on what has been stated so far

 

[Heineken]

Doesn't sound like a lot of information is available
Hard to make a judgement based on what has been stated so far

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.

 

[MacDawg]

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.

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

 

[Heineken]

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 yet they are still available
What makes this different?
Yes, I need more information to make a judgement about Apple's action here

No you don't. It's a private encrypted messaging app. Can be anything from trade secrets to rape to child pornography. Same applies to all messaging apps that are currently still available and provide exactly the same facilities.

 

[ss.soulbeat]

It always shocked me this puritan view of Apple ! Violence content is widely accepted but "pornographic content" is not !

Just look at how many violent games/apps you can find on the appstore !

That's great Apple ! You just showed the world you rather prefer violence than love !

 

[MacDawg]

No you don't. It's a private encrypted messaging app. Can be anything from trade secrets to rape to child pornography. Same applies to all messaging apps that are currently still available and provide exactly the same facilities.

YES, I do need more information, what's so hard to understand about that?

For the very reasons you state... I need more information from Apple why they chose to pull this app specifically and not others if I am going to understand and have an informed opinion about their actions.

 

[YaBe]

It always shocked me this puritan view of Apple ! Violence content is widely accepted but "pornographic content" is not !

Just look at how many violent games/apps you can find on the appstore !

That's great Apple ! You just showed the world you rather prefer violence than love !

I would not consider phornographic stuff....love.

Also inappropriate != phornographic, I mean it could be lots of things!

 

[Heineken]

It always shocked me this puritan view of Apple ! Violence content is widely accepted but "pornographic content" is not !

Just look at how many violent games/apps you can find on the appstore !

That's great Apple ! You just showed the world you rather prefer violence than love !

The problems start when people start thinking that they are the authority that knows best. There bad things in this world and we have to fight them, but not like this.
[doublepost=1517487603][/doublepost]

YES, I do need more information, what's so hard to understand about that?

For the very reasons you state... I need more information from Apple why they chose to pull this app specifically and not others if I am going to understand and have an informed opinion about their actions.

Because they only need one. This is an example for everyone.

 

[itsmilo]

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.

uhm this is exactly why we need more information

 

[obitow]

This makes absolutely no sense, Apple. Hope they sort this out soon.

 

[YaBe]

Not to worry, they will come up with a toggle in the next iOS update to let you view inappropriate content.... they will make it sound like they planned it all along and they just "did not communicate well enought" and things will be fixed.

 

[ss.soulbeat]

I would not consider phornographic stuff....love.

Also inappropriate != phornographic, I mean it could be lots of things!

Well, it certainly isn't war ! But "selling" war to everyone it's ok...

 

[c0ppo]

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.

 

[MacDawg]

I prefer to know Apple's REASON for action, and there isn't enough information given for that

 

[itsmilo]

so then why are all the other apps still on the store? thats why we need more information lol obviously something in particular must have rubbed them the wrong way with this one app

 

[YaBe]

Well, it certainly isn't war ! But "selling" war to everyone it's ok...

It is not either or, thay are both inappropriate to me, but that does not mean I need to be "protected", I can chose what game I play, and what to watch, I do not need anyone let alone a company to tell me what I can watch or play.

To someone else phornography can be ok, I do not want them not to be able to watch it just because I don't....it's called freedom, and you can filter your contacts..

 

[simonmet]

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

 

[ss.soulbeat]

The problems start when people start thinking that they are the authority that knows best. There bad things in this world and we have to fight them, but not like this.
[doublepost=1517487603][/doublepost]
Because they only need one. This is an example for everyone.

100 % agreed ! Apple censorship in a democracy ? C'mon I'm a grown up it's up to me to decide what apps I should install as long as it isn't against the law !

 

[Heineken]

It is not either or, thay are both inappropriate to me, but that does not mean I need to be "protected", I can chose what game I play, and what to watch, I do not need anyone let alone a company to tell me what I can watch or play.

To someone else phornography can be ok, I do not want them not to be able to watch it just because I don't....it's called freedom, and you can filter your contacts..

In other words we don't need some higher authority telling us what is ok and what is not.