Apple Rejecting Violent App Screenshots for Infringing Long-Standing Policy

[MacRumors]

Apple has been rejecting a number of apps with screenshots that depict violence or guns from being released or updated on the App Store, as reported by Pocket Gamer. As a result, developers have been forced to modify their app screenshots to either completely remove or blur any violent materials in order to get through the approval process.

Tempo [Direct Link] screenshot with a blurred gun to adhere to Apple's guidelines​

Apple has long required developers to ensure all front-facing App Store materials are appropriate for children, although it has been more aggressively enforcing its stance against violent screenshots in recent weeks. Earlier today, Instapaper developer Marco Arment pointed towards language in the App Store Review Guidelines that clearly spells out Apple's kid-friendly requirements.

"The App Store has parental controls and requires all apps to bear age-appropriate content ratings. While violence, etc. has always been permitted in apps, Apple has always required that all app metadata -- title, description, icon, and screenshots -- be kid-proof with the lowest rating. [...] It's right there in the rules: 3.6 Apps with App icons, screenshots, and previews that do not adhere to the 4+ age rating will be rejected"

Despite cracking down on violent imagery, Apple told The Loop that it is being more liberal as of late in terms of what images and screenshots it permits to be shown on the App Store.

"I spoke with Apple about this today and they told me the company is being more liberal lately with what it allows in the App Store for images and screenshots. I don't know the specifics of individual games, but overall, Apple is being more lenient of late."

Nevertheless, it is clear that Apple has been quite inconsistent with enforcing its App Store review guidelines over the years. Look no further than Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour [Direct Link], which heavily features violence in its promotional images. Developers have expressed frustration over strict guidelines since the App Store launched in 2008, but Apple remains committed to exercising fine-tuned control over the storefront to ensure the best experience possible for all users.

"We're really trying our best to create the best platform in the world for you to express your talents and make a living too. If it sounds like we're control freaks, well, maybe it's because we're so committed to our users and making sure they have a quality experience with our products. Just like almost all of you are, too."

The tighter enforcement comes on the heels of Apple increasing the maximum app size from 2GB to 4GB. Developers that have apps rejected for sensitive content are permitted to resubmit for approval after making the necessary changes.

Article Link: Apple Rejecting Violent App Screenshots for Infringing Long-Standing Policy

 

[the8thark]

Apple Rejecting Violent App Screenshots for Infringing Long-Standing Policy

If this policy is so long standing, why is it news now?

 

[AnsonX10]

So now guns are violent to look at?

 

[PsykX]

It was the main reason why my app [see my signature below] was rejected back in November. We drew somewhat cartoonish guns with blood spills on a piece of paper and they wouldn't allow that.

 

[farewelwilliams]

pixelating the guns in the video makes it look lewd.

 

[AppleGeek1127]

This just makes Apple look pathetic on a whole new level.

 

[Dargoth]

It's getting a bit ridiculous. I want to see a statistic about all the lives that guns save, or all the lives that could have been saved, if someone had a gun, as in the many school shootings around the country lately, but I know I'm not going to find it, because, as we all know, guns are scary... This kind of thing boggles the mind.

 

[AppleGeek1127]

It was the main reason why my app [see my signature below] was rejected back in November. We drew somewhat cartoonish guns with blood spills on a piece of paper and they wouldn't allow that.

That's absurd. I just watched the trailer for your game and it looks like a masterpiece. There's no way I would have the time, or the skills to make something of that caliber.

 

[commander.data]

I suppose they could make screenshots that substitute bananas for guns.

I wonder what Apple will do about the knife/sword stroke in Fruit Ninja. Think of all the fruit meeting their violent end.

 

[Dargoth]

I suppose they could make screenshots that substitute bananas for guns.

No sir. Bananas are too gun-like. Plus, someone might get hurt if they slip on the banana peel. They should probably be banned from schools.

 

[Salvor Hardin]

So are they going to start doing this to movies in the trailer app

 

[AppleGeek1127]

I suppose they could make screenshots that substitute bananas for guns.

Am I the only one who thinks of that 8-year-old kid who got suspended for biting his Pop-Tart into the shape of a gun after reading this?

 

[AnsonX10]

I suppose they could make screenshots that substitute bananas for guns.

I wonder what Apple will do about the knife/sword stroke in Fruit Ninja. Think of all the fruit meeting their violent end.

I was thinking the exact same thing. lol

Sword mutilation is way more violent than how bullets kill people.

 

[AppleGeek1127]

So are they going to start doing this to movies in the trailer app?

No, we'll have to wait until iOS 9 comes out. The APIs for iOS 8 aren't capable of doing that </sarcasm>

 

[Jessica Lares]

How about not letting kids who have parental controls on their devices access to these apps in the first place? Strip them from the store entirely when they have these settings in place.

 

[Salvor Hardin]

No, we'll have to wait until iOS 9 comes out. The APIs for iOS 8 aren't capable of doing that </sarcasm>

iOS 9 will feature gorgeous real time blurring of objectionable content!

 

[AppleGeek1127]

How about not letting kids who have parental controls on their devices access to these apps in the first place? Strip them from the store entirely when they have these settings in place.

Settings > General > Restrictions... anyone?

 

[AnsonX10]

How about not letting kids who have parental controls on their devices access to these apps in the first place? Strip them from the store entirely when they have these settings in place.

You'd be a much better replacement for Steve.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Settings > General > Restrictions... anyone?

It doesn't hide the apps though. It just doesn't let you download them.

 

[Dargoth]

How about not letting kids who have parental controls on their devices access to these apps in the first place? Strip them from the store entirely when they have these settings in place.

It's much simpler to just deny access to everyone. Your solution would take some thought on the part of the consumer, which Apple apparently thinks we are incapable of. Sometimes I ponder the prospect of switching to Android...

 

[garylapointe]

If this policy is so long standing, why is it news now?

Because after all this time they are starting to enforce it more.

Gary

 

[AppleGeek1127]

iOS 9 will feature gorgeous real time blurring of objectionable content!

It will a make for a much less cluttered user interface... aluminium

 

[AnsonX10]

iOS 9 will feature gorgeous real time blurring of objectionable content!

"Let your kids browse the ENTIRE internet! They can watch anything they want, but with iOS 9's amazing new genital/violence recognition technology, the objectionable parts will be blurred out in real-time!"

I find it funny that MR uses "blurred" instead of a more apt word like "pixelated" or "censored".

 

[garylapointe]

It's much simpler to just deny access to everyone. Your solution would take some thought on the part of the consumer, which Apple apparently thinks we are incapable of. Sometimes I ponder the prospect of switching to Android...

This isn't a solution for everyone (the ones who don't block), but if they block downloading it in the settings, it makes sense to not even show it to the people who are blocked (they care enough to change it).

Gary

 

[AppleGeek1127]

It doesn't hide the apps though. It just doesn't let you download them.

Put the app in a random folder. Problem solved.