Apple Warns Amazon About Sexually Explicit Kindle Content Accessible to Children

[MacRumors]

Both Apple and Alphabet have asked Amazon to improve content moderation for its Kindle app after it was found that children could use the app to access sexually explicit images, reports Reuters.

Amazon's Kindle platform sells adult-oriented books that include photographs that are not suitable for children, with the content first discovered by parents who contacted Reuters. The parents had purchased Kindle Unlimited for their pre-teen children because it included age appropriate books that were not available on Amazon's separate Amazon Kids+ subscription service.

Kindle Unlimited also offers books with full color nude photographs, which the children were able to download for free and with no parental checks as Kindle Unlimited provides all content for one $10/month subscription price. The books are self-published through the direct publishing feature of the Kindle service, which allows authors to publish their books instantly and make them available through Kindle Unlimited.

Apple did not provide detail on its communications with Amazon, but the company told Reuters the following: "We've shared these concerns with the developer and are working with them to ensure their app is compliant with our guidelines." Apple also changed the age rating of the Kindle app to 12 years or older from 4 years or older.

Apple's App Store guidelines do not allow apps that depict "overtly sexual or pornographic material," and app developers are "responsible for moderating the user-generated content on their platforms."

Google too said that it had contacted Amazon and that Google Play does not allow apps that contain or promote sexual content, while Amazon said that it is "reviewing all of the available information and taking action" based on its findings. Amazon said it is "committed to providing a safe shopping and reading experience" for customers and their families.

At the current time, the Kindle Unlimited service does not offer parental controls, and Amazon has not yet made any changes to the Kindle app or Kindle Unlimited.

Article Link: Apple Warns Amazon About Sexually Explicit Kindle Content Accessible to Children

 

[HorstBockman]

Can we see proof?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Hopefully, Amazon corrects this problem asap. Children don’t need to be looking at such pictures.

 

[ss2cire]

Sounds like Amazon got caught with their pants down on this one.

==============

In all seriousness, how did Amazon not think of having parental controls on a kids book service? seems like it is something basic to have.

 

[macduke]

Teenagers everywhere with locked down devices screenshotting like there is no tomorrow.

 

[jbc25]

I guess this means Apple will be removing Safari from all devices too?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I guess this means Apple will be removing Safari from all devices too?

Apple should be removing Twitter tho. I feel like they are bombarded with stuff like that.

 

[fmillion]

In all seriousness, how did Amazon not think of having parental controls on a kids book service? seems like it is something basic to have.

It sounds to me that parents were letting their kids use the "adult" version of Kindle Unlimited. The fix is pretty easy, just add an adult filtering option. There are plenty of adults who would also probably choose to use it.

On the other hand, I worry about the ominous reference to Apple not allowing porn in apps and making developers responsible for moderation. That's the sort of thing that can be very easily used against pretty much any app that displays third-party content. Reddit has an app, and Reddit has plenty of porn subreddits. I thought we covered that with the "unrestricted content" note in the App Store? (I know such apps would also likely get a 17+ rating, but I also didn't think an app could be summarily banned simply because it displays arbitrary third-party content that might contain porn?)

 

[EvilEvil]

Sounds like parents don't want to do any parenting as usual and rely on companies to do it for them.

 

[v0lume4]

Apple should be removing Twitter tho. I feel like they are bombarded with stuff like that.

Why Twitter specifically? All social media is filled with trash. Seems to me that TikTok is chief among them.

 

[rjp1]

Apple should be removing Twitter tho. I feel like they are bombarded with stuff like that.

This kind of thinking is exactly why we need sideload apps. The threat to free speech is too great.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Well, this is a relief. Now kids won't be able to find anything sexually explicit with their devices.

 

[contacos]

There are actually quite a lot of content streaming apps that allow „dirty“ stuff on iOS as well. You just have to make an account from the web, deactivate the filter and once you log into the app with the same account, you have access to all the „other“ content.

Heard it from a friend 😊

Twitter is another one … full of explicit OnlyFans stuff

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

This filth must be banned*



*until they agree to use in app purchase and pay their 30%

 

[sw1tcher]

Hopefully, Amazon corrects this problem asap. Children don’t need to be looking at such pictures.

Or Michelangelo's statue of David 😇

 

[sorgo †]

Can’t Amazon just add some ****ing Parental Control OPTIONS like we’ve always ****ing had? Like come on…what’s the big deal. Make content filtration an option. Or is Amazon just trying to sully children’s minds with erotica written for soccer moms?

But yeah, at the end of the day I am always on the side of free speech if we have to be black-and-white about it

 

[CarAnalogy]

Not sure how the parents didn’t immediately realize Kindle Unlimited is inappropriate for children.

I’m sure Amazon doesn’t say this too loudly, but 99% of all books on Kindle Unlimited are trash romance, at best.

I mean just take one look at the page of offers and you’ll see about twelve shirtless dudes.

 

[7149041]

Can we see proof?

 

[Tagbert]

I’m not clear how this can be seen as the Kindle app providing this content. You can’t “buy” a book on the app because Apple would demand a 30% tariff so Amazon doesn’t let you order or buy any books in the app, even free ones. You have to use their website or a kindle device to buy a book. It doesn’t mean that children couldn’t do the extra step to use the website to order some ”adult material” but how deep does Apple want to go on policing this kind of thing? Certainly any web search on Safari is going to bring back much more explicit material than some steamy novel.

 

[tonywalker23]

Reminds me of the email exchange between Steve Jobs and a costumer arguing for porn in the App Store. Steve’s reply: “you’ll change your mind if you had a daughter.”

 

[Tagbert]

This filth must be banned*



*until they agree to use in app purchase and pay their 30%

”The spice must flow!”

 

[Mr Fide]

Why Twitter specifically? All social media is filled with trash. Seems to me that TikTok is chief among them.

On my TikTok I never get anything kids shouldn't see. Actually, some profanity I guess - thanks Aussies. But visually, it's not trashy at all. Just cute animals, comedy, dancing and fascinating facts. Is there a world of trash TikTok I'm missing?

 

[alchemistmuffin]

At the current time, the Kindle Unlimited service does not offer parental controls, and Amazon has not yet made any changes to the Kindle app or Kindle Unlimited.

So how long before Apple just removes the app from App Store? Remember, iPadOS and iOS offers “Freedom from Porn” according to Steve Jobs.

 

[v0lume4]

On my TikTok I never get anything kids shouldn't see. Actually, some profanity I guess - thanks Aussies. But visually, it's not trashy at all. Just cute animals, comedy, dancing and fascinating facts. Is there a world of trash TikTok I'm missing?

When it comes right down to it, the algorithm determines that. So if you mostly watch animals etc then that’s what you’ll see. If you watch trash, you’ll see trash.

But to answer your question, yes. What I’ve seen coming from TikTok, from the outside looking in, it’s girls making their cute little dancing videos wearing too little. Sometimes wayyy too young, mind you. Not something kids should see.

Keep in mind, I don’t use social media anymore. I’ve actually missed the TikTok train completely. But yes, TikTok like all social media, has plenty of trash. Probably more of it just by the sheer number of users.

 

[HMI]

Does Apple even know that “material” also includes books without pictures - you know - with just words?!

Apple has plenty of “overt” books with just words that should be censored. They even promoted the “50 shades” books on their front top banner in the Apple book store when those came out for sale.

but I guess it’s “okay” for women. They even relabel it as “Romantic,” to make it seem less controversial, but it’s the same thing as Pron using just words.

(AKA - Pron is only “bad” when men do it).