Apple Will Not Distribute 'Porn' and Other Inappropriate Content

[bigmc6000]

So I can download the move 'The Reader' yet I can not download an app with nudity? Makes no sense to me.

I really think it's all about context - Apple is essentially the MPAA of the App store and they give things ratings. Movies usually have their nudity placed in context and it's not just topless women walking around for 2 hours - there;s a story etc etc - this app was nothing but topless women that had no story, no anything - it served no purpose other than showing topless women whereas the Reader (as much as I found it painful to watch) told a story (heck, even Wild Things has a story line, a bad one but still...)

I'd have to think if there was a movie that was constant nudity the MPAA would, at worst, give it an NC-17 rating (Showgirls wasn't even 50% nudity and it got the NC-17 rating).

 

[corinhorn]

Rather than be a nanny to it's users, Apple should implement a rating system for it's app store like it has for iTunes.
Then include a disclaimer in the TOS agreement and allow users/parents to filter/restrict content as they see fit.
Then if anyone complains about store content, Apple could fall back upon the agreement the user agreed to and say they can and should have filtered/restricted the content if they though it was inappropriate.

Apple, you're missing out on a TON of revenue here... and as A SHAREHOLDER that makes me quite unhappy.

This makes sense, but then the problem is how to rate content. As we can see in this thread, everyone defines porn differently. Apple may feel that nipples are okay for a Teen rating, but some parents may feel otherwise. Does an image have to show penetration for it to be rated Adult, or does it just have to show a snatch shot?. I don't think a clear cut rating system could ever be done without pissing more people off about what is and isn't appropriate

 

[bigmc6000]

This makes sense, but then the problem is how to rate content. As we can see in this thread, everyone defines porn differently. Apple may feel that nipples are okay for a Teen rating, but some parents may feel otherwise. Does an image have to show penetration for it to be rated Adult, or does it just have to show a snatch shot?. I don't think a clear cut rating system could ever be done without pissing more people off about what is and isn't appropriate

Well let's just ask ourselves something - has any reputable movie theatre EVER had actual porn on one of their screens? Exactly, and when Showgirls came out they had managers standing at the door to the theatre checking IDs to make sure nobody underage got in (in the theatres they did show it that is). It's much easier to slowly push the line back than it is to let all things go to hell and then try to control it - I like what Apple is doing here and to the people who think this going to kill the iPhone I can't do anything but laugh at you, I mean really, you're so confused there's nothing I can even say to you without laughing...

 

[NStocks]

Haven't read the whole thread, but I can still see the App... UK

 

[iphoneftw]

what's next ?Private browsers on the app store are porn viewers maybe apple will take those down to. But for a horndog like myself there a great invention

 

[Unspoken Demise]

I think for an App like this one, there should be a giant disclaimer like the input your password pop up that says EXACTLY what there is on it. Also, it should be the parents responsiblity to not give the child the password. No password= no download.

When I was younger, when I wanted a song or something, I put it in the cart on iTunes, told my dad what I wanted and that it was in the cart. He then decided if it was appropriate for me. He listened to the preview or watched the preview depending on the media source, and then made his decision like a responsible parent. I never resented him for saying no and I understood that my father would know whats best. Now I have my own account and password and I make my own decisions. But as a minor, my parents were responsible in what I should or should not be exposed to until they felt I was ready.

With this pop up, the parent is forced to see EXACTLY what is contained in this App. Then input their password.

Poor/ lazy parenting =! Apple's problem.

Also, when did nudity become pornography?

 

[Niko03]

But I can rent R-Rated movies for the iphone that have boobies in them. Why are they allowing that.

Don't be so simple.

The media didn't make headline news over the fact that R rated movies are available on iTunes. And Apple is simply responding to the media headlines.

And nobody looks at the local multiplex theater and thinks "porn distributor" or "free boobie pics", when they show those same R rated movies right next to kid friendly rated G movies.

It might not be quite seemingly fair, but it is perception and perception is reality.

 

[jsdoyle]

Can I get a refund?

Man! I though since I downloaded it before it was yanked I was good to go! But nooooo, either Apple or the developer has pulled all the pictures and only a notice that reads, "This version will no longer work. You should delete this version.".

But there is no new version on the App Store.

What now? I'm really not that worried about the $1.99. I've dropped a lot more in quarters at the peep show on a Saturday night.

 

[Jason Lee]

Well let's just ask ourselves something - has any reputable movie theatre EVER had actual porn on one of their screens? Exactly, and when Showgirls came out they had managers standing at the door to the theatre checking IDs to make sure nobody underage got in (in the theatres they did show it that is). It's much easier to slowly push the line back than it is to let all things go to hell and then try to control it - I like what Apple is doing here and to the people who think this going to kill the iPhone I can't do anything but laugh at you, I mean really, you're so confused there's nothing I can even say to you without laughing...

Do reputable book and video stores shelve adult material, including pornography?

Just wondering, has anyone read LOST GIRLS by Alan Moore?

 

[rustedshut]

I am for nudity, porn and other adult content on the app store. The parental controls are in place. Let's roll out the "garbage," so I can buy it. If they don't want these types of apps. Here's the perfect solution. Give Safari some freakin flash player support and I'll just go to the many flash-based porn sites. Everybody's happy.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

Not everyone has 3.0 so not everyone has parental controls. What do you do then?

Make 3.0 a requirement.

 

[vkxonline]

The number of puritans on this board is really embarrassing .

 

[gsfgf]

no porn apps = iphone sinkage?

Yea man. That's what killed betamax.

 

[zim]

So why limit apps? Why not do the same to music and movies? I'm not saying that I want censorship but I do find it difficult to understand why one type of content developer would be censored (omitted from the store) and not another kind. Is there porn in the movies section, no (not that I know of), but there are movies with sex and there are plenty of songs that have offensive lyrics. Personally I would take porn over violence in movies, songs and games/apps any day. I do commend Apple for taking a stand and keeping the content "clean" but I question if there might be another way.

As for the parenting controls... I have to laugh. People are so lazy/clueless that the only way parenting controls will work is if they are set by default and then you, as the adult, can then turn them off.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

The number of puritans on this board is really embarrassing .

... The British colonies were settled by Puritans and Quakers. What do you expect?

 

[wolfshades]

This app is hardly "porn" though.

At the risk of begging the question, there is a big difference between "nudity" and "porn" for most people around the world, although people in some of the Muslim countries again, and many strictly religious types wouldn't agree I know.

Simple nudity never twisted anyone's mind or sexuality around. There is no evidence of any harm being caused to anyone by nudity, whereas with some of the more hardcore porn stuff there actually is. Intelligent people can disagree of course, but *some* scientists and *some* psychologists have come up with *some* evidence that exposing kids to pee-pee fetish rubber goat sex movies at an early age (or whatever), can skew their sexuality and leave them in a pretty strange place. It can also shock and disturb people quite easily.

Nudity is to Porn as Pot is to Cocaine. There never has been any evidence that nudity is "bad" for anyone.

All this app contains is some bad photographs of pretty girls with the occasional boob showing. It has an adult rating, and the application has built in parental controls, the platform has built in parental controls, etc.

It's totally hypocritical and fascist to deny adults (I would even argue children, but that's another battle), the right to look at what they want to look at. The only argument against it is that others who don't want to look at it might be offended, but given the parental controls, it's a fallacious argument.

Logic and the facts are simply not on the side of anyone who wants to ban this kind of stuff. What's next, Political filters?

Ok - you've made my day. For *once* someone has used the term "begging the question" in the correct manner. I'm not an English fanatic - or anything even approaching that - but it just drives me *insane* when I hear TV anchors, university professors and politicians all using that phrase - and then following it up with an actual question.

That being said, I doubt there's any logical fallacy in your argument. By that I mean: I've looked and haven't been able to find any.

 

[fishballer]

Once Again Sex is Bad yet Games with Wanton Violence are OK, I'm so Proud of America.

how do you type with every word capitalized? not bashing, just curious. do you do that in emails? or just forums?

 

[diazj3]

I think it's a good BUSINESS decision by Apple... porn (soft nudity or hardcore sex) is the #1 business in internet (so I've read). Once they get into any of it - no matter how mild - and such line has been crossed, porn will flood the app store, maybe hurting the motivation of developers for creating useful apps, hurting in the long run Apples name and sales - when the iPhone gets considered a "porn-tool".

I think it was no easy choice for Apple - since some may think Apple is trying to be a "moral compass", as some here have argued. But in the end, Apple is forced to pick a side, businesswise.

I'm not morally scared or insulted by porn, but I do think it doesn't bring anything good to most people's lives. Once porn gets in, it's going to be difficult to draw a clear line between mild nudity and hardcore sex with animals or such things, plus all kinds of malware will follow.

If some users want porn, there are a million other ways to get it.

cheers!

 

[skuban]

Do What We Say Not What We Do

Apple will not distribute applications that contain inappropriate content, such as pornography.

Unless they are created by Apple and pre-installed on EVERY device - even little Timmy's...

Between iTunes/iPod and Safari I think this is pretty hypocritical.

I don't see Apple refusing to sell certain movies or even TRYING any type of filtering on the net for iphones with the parental controls "on".

Scott

 

[wolfshades]

YAY APPLE!!!

I am so happy that the company I love has a bit of moral fiber!

*blinks*

...........mom?.............

 

[morespce54]

terrible news.

Fist Jackson now this.

when will it end?

LOL!!!!!

Okay, they may sell (or not sell) whatever they want, even if the AppStore *is* the only place to buy app for your iPhone/Touch...

But please, porn is a trap???
Geez... so is alcohol, music, Wii, religion, love, etc...

 

[hayesk]

At the risk of begging the question, there is a big difference between "nudity" and "porn" for most people around the world,

Fair enough.

There is no evidence of any harm being caused to anyone by nudity, whereas with some of the more hardcore porn stuff there actually is. Intelligent people can disagree of course, but *some* scientists and *some* psychologists have come up with *some* evidence that exposing kids to pee-pee fetish rubber goat sex movies at an early age (or whatever), can skew their sexuality and leave them in a pretty strange place. It can also shock and disturb people quite easily.

You are basically saying that exposing kids to stuff at an early age can skew them at a later age. Sure, but that goes for taste in food, racism, favourite sports - anything, good or bad shapes children in their developing years.

Nudity is to Porn as Pot is to Cocaine. There never has been any evidence that nudity is "bad" for anyone.

I have to disagree. Cocaine has proven physical addicting qualities. Porn does not. If you showed porn to 100 mentally healthy regularly for a year, they would be fine. If you gave cocaine to 100 healthy people regularly for a year, you'd have quite a bit more people with a cocaine problem than a porn problem. By problem, I mean has a negative impact on their overall life.

It's totally hypocritical and fascist to deny adults (I would even argue children, but that's another battle), the right to look at what they want to look at. The only argument against it is that others who don't want to look at it might be offended, but given the parental controls, it's a fallacious argument.

Agreed.

 

[ceezy3000]

so much for thinking different
(seriously though i have to agree with apples decision)

 

[wolfshades]

Nudity is to Porn as Pot is to Cocaine. There never has been any evidence that nudity is "bad" for anyone.

I have to disagree. Cocaine has proven physical addicting qualities. Porn does not. If you showed porn to 100 mentally healthy regularly for a year, they would be fine. If you gave cocaine to 100 healthy people regularly for a year, you'd have quite a bit more people with a cocaine problem than a porn problem. By problem, I mean has a negative impact on their overall life.

I think you missed the point here. He wasn't saying coke is harmless. He was saying that pot, like nudity, is harmless. Yet some put pot and cocaine as both being dangerous, much like some people put nudity and porn as equal in effect. i.e. pot is to cocaine as nudity is to porn

 

[kdarling]

Plus they are probably worried that the dev will add boobies into all their apps. Apple is just curbing a potential problem.

Agreed... I think this is a lot of the reason.

Apple would be overrun very quickly with lurid submissions, and their store would become a late-night talk show joke (albeit a rich one).