Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Will Not Distribute 'Porn' and Other Inappropriate Content
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Having a ratings system and parental controls should mean that anything is allowed anywhere, so long as it is appropriately rated, and parents have the ability to block it. Both things are true in the App store, so what is the problem? This is the same thing the FCC does, institutes a ratings system so any content is available, and able to be blocked, then prevents the distribution of said content.
Bad call Apple, Bad Call!
Bad call Apple, Bad Call!
Faulty logic?
I understand the zeal that Apple exhibits in attempting to protect the perceived integrity of the App Store and its own corporate image
, but I think the key in this situation is how the "inappropriate content" was distributed.
If the app was "clean" when it was purchased from the App Store and the porn was added over-the-air from the developer's own servers, how is this a violation of the App Store rules against distribution of pornography? Isn't Apple's own mobile Safari browser (along with scads of third party browsers for the iPhone) capable of downloading pornographic material OTA from any server on the Internet? How is this developer's app different in a fundamental sense? The porn did not originate from the App Store--only the application itself (the conduit--just like Safari). The only thing that makes sense here is that the app, unlike Safari, must have been purpose built for viewing porn, not a general purpose app like Safari.
I understand the zeal that Apple exhibits in attempting to protect the perceived integrity of the App Store and its own corporate image
, but I think the key in this situation is how the "inappropriate content" was distributed.If the app was "clean" when it was purchased from the App Store and the porn was added over-the-air from the developer's own servers, how is this a violation of the App Store rules against distribution of pornography? Isn't Apple's own mobile Safari browser (along with scads of third party browsers for the iPhone) capable of downloading pornographic material OTA from any server on the Internet? How is this developer's app different in a fundamental sense? The porn did not originate from the App Store--only the application itself (the conduit--just like Safari). The only thing that makes sense here is that the app, unlike Safari, must have been purpose built for viewing porn, not a general purpose app like Safari.
Right. It's not like you can buy Eminem albums with offensive lyrics on iTunes... Thank God...
Personally, I wouldn't want this app. However, I think it's ridiculous for Apple to restrict the app. With the ratings system in place, the only need for approval is to make sure the program doesn't mess with the system.
IMO, Apple shouldn't be restricting porn, simply because they don't like it. It's not good business sense. Also, they lose my respect because they start acting like religious people (i.e., they shove their views down everyone else's throats).
IMO, Apple shouldn't be restricting porn, simply because they don't like it. It's not good business sense. Also, they lose my respect because they start acting like religious people (i.e., they shove their views down everyone else's throats).
I have pocket god and I think that the developer is lucky it made it on ,there is no blood yet
I deleted pocket god after a few plays. It was racist. But more than that, it's just not very fun.
Hilarious
Cop: License and Registration
Me: Excuse me I have to clean myself up first.
Cop: Move along now have a nice day, consider this a warning.
Never thought of that one for getting out of a ticket although you'd probably actually end up on the sex offenders list in this backwards country.
Some people can "happy end" in their cars too, so I've heard, hence the added mobility factor coming handy.
I wouldn't want to be a copper handing them a ticket though!
Cop: License and Registration
Me: Excuse me I have to clean myself up first.
Cop: Move along now have a nice day, consider this a warning.
Never thought of that one for getting out of a ticket although you'd probably actually end up on the sex offenders list in this backwards country.
So, are they going to get rid of the parental controls in the next update? It seems there is no need for them.
Not happy
I am very disappointed in Apple. Firstly their ultra conservative attitude, but secondly their incredibly vague and hugely differing 'guidelines'.
Why does an app get approved in the first place if it contains media that is not acceptable for the app store?
And it is a valid point that 3.0 has introduced parental controls - what are they for if there is nothing to restrict?
Well, Goona, how about your parents put parental controls on your little sisters' iPods/iPhones and then they won't see this 'garbage'? I myself have not seen the app, but I am sure that the developers dedicated time (and money) to developing this app; it's not fair that Apple should restrict it for no reason. (I'm sure they 'reserve the right' to do whatever the hell they like, but it's still not fair treatment.)
I think Apple are very close to turning into one of those harsh, dictating and hard to get hold of companies, mentioning no names coughPAYPALcough.
I am very disappointed in Apple. Firstly their ultra conservative attitude, but secondly their incredibly vague and hugely differing 'guidelines'.
Why does an app get approved in the first place if it contains media that is not acceptable for the app store?
And it is a valid point that 3.0 has introduced parental controls - what are they for if there is nothing to restrict?
Well, Goona, how about your parents put parental controls on your little sisters' iPods/iPhones and then they won't see this 'garbage'? I myself have not seen the app, but I am sure that the developers dedicated time (and money) to developing this app; it's not fair that Apple should restrict it for no reason. (I'm sure they 'reserve the right' to do whatever the hell they like, but it's still not fair treatment.)
I think Apple are very close to turning into one of those harsh, dictating and hard to get hold of companies, mentioning no names coughPAYPALcough.
That's it exactly. Tasteful nude photos are art. Porn is something different altogether. The Statue of David is also "porn" based on Apple's definition. How idiotic.
I think the issue is more that the existing app was changed to contain different content using the web-server that provides it with its images, the newer images being different from those originally used to decide the application's rating.
If the app had been submitted with such images from the start, then it probably wouldn't have had this issue.
I think Apple trying to safe-guard against the more extreme case of someone creating say a tetris-style game, which a few weeks later turns into hardcore porn; the application should be submitted with suitable examples of the content it is expected to contain, if the actual content differs significantly then it will be pulled and even disabled via the remote removal function of the iPhone.
If the app had been submitted with such images from the start, then it probably wouldn't have had this issue.
I think Apple trying to safe-guard against the more extreme case of someone creating say a tetris-style game, which a few weeks later turns into hardcore porn; the application should be submitted with suitable examples of the content it is expected to contain, if the actual content differs significantly then it will be pulled and even disabled via the remote removal function of the iPhone.
I don't really see why this is such an issue. I'm not a prude but i was surprised to have these programs in the top100, children would no doubt see them.
Maybe if they were to include them, they should have an 'adult' section in itunes for apps such as these; furthermore, not include them in the top apps list.
I though apple loved making as much money as possible and porn is without a doubt a big money maker - surprised they are not cashing in
Maybe if they were to include them, they should have an 'adult' section in itunes for apps such as these; furthermore, not include them in the top apps list.
I though apple loved making as much money as possible and porn is without a doubt a big money maker - surprised they are not cashing in
Most things apple are porn
I agree.
Most things (not ALL things) apple are porn anyway. Message boards, forums, advertising.
Many people are just more offended by breasts than by other acts of Obscenity, Indecency & Profanity.
Let's just call it good training and leave and at that.
I agree.
Most things (not ALL things) apple are porn anyway. Message boards, forums, advertising.
Many people are just more offended by breasts than by other acts of Obscenity, Indecency & Profanity.
Let's just call it good training and leave and at that.
Is that like the government exercising its "freedom" to lock people up without charges for indefinite periods of time?
almost all restrictions are, on a balance scale, equal to less freedom. The exception to that is probably the "freedom" to do violence.
Not really. There are laws that forbid masturbation and sex in public. You get a fine or a night in jail. But that's contingent on who you were having sex with or what kind of content you were masturbating too...
I don't really care if they allow apps like this or not. From a standpoint of you should be able to have whatever apps you want to or not, maybe they should allow people to develop their own apps for distributing. That way people can create apps with nudity and they won't be on their store.
That is the best solution IMO.
That is the best solution IMO.
This wasn't a bait and switch IMO. With iPhone 3.0 OS and iTunes 8.2 Apple added full parental and ratings controls. These controls have terms such as "explicit" and "nudity" for 17+ mature ratings. It was assumed by many developers, myself included, that once we had these updates from Apple, we would be able to further leverage our content based on the ratings and controls they implemented.
At this point I'm at a complete loss for words. Why implement these controls if you're not going to allow mature content? And one more thing, if I may say so..... a woman's exposed nipple is NOT porn. Seriously. But thats just the screwed up country we live in. The human body and sexuality is taboo and forbidden, but death, destruction, and mayhem is ok.
Because that is sooo like a business deciding what they want to sell and what they don't want to sell.. good lord.
Looking at iTunes now I can rent My Bloody Valentine and Sex Drive, both of which contain more nudity than this app. Does iTunes have better controls over who downloads material there? Seems pretty hypocritical to allow it in one store but not another.
I don't begrudge any adult all the porn they can handle...
But what right does anyone else have to force Apple to sell it? (or other stuff they aren't comfortable selling?)
Geeze, for anyone who wants porn on their iPhone, drink from the fire hose: it's called the Internet.
But what right does anyone else have to force Apple to sell it? (or other stuff they aren't comfortable selling?)
Geeze, for anyone who wants porn on their iPhone, drink from the fire hose: it's called the Internet.
This can't be stated enough... THIS WAS NOT PORN. Please stop calling it that. It was just pictures of women, some of which were topless.
yes it is. Don't get me wrong Apple doesn't have to sell anything they don't want, but seeing as they make it impossible to get the app on my own and install it I feel they shouldn't dictate what you CAN have only what THEY sell. On the other hand you know there is one app store, you know apple controls it, you know you entrust steve jobs with everything you do when you buy an iphone, so my initial point is moot. However I still do disagree with their descision.