Over 5000 'Overtly Sexual' Apps Pulled from App Store (And Counting)

[rustedshut]

Wave of the future Dude, 100% electronic. People forget that the brain, is the biggest erogenous zone of all.

I'm glad that the garbage photo apps will be purged. Although, I'm not excited about Apple canning all of the apps that feature "overtly sexual" content. I think they should make a section devoted to the 17+ category or maybe just for "overtly sexual" content. You could also just keep them out of the regular top 50 paid and free lists. There could be one really cool app out of the thousands of stupid ones that I might want to get. The fascist politics of the app store is too apparent in this case.

Look at Amazon. They have a ton of adult items for sale and it doesn't hinder the image of their economy at all. They don't have the items on the front page but, you can still search and find them. I think it's easier to handle this then everyone thinks.

 

[Darkroom]

A dude over at TUAW has spoken to Apple with the following commandments spoken on 'girlie' apps...
"I have spoken with Apple, and the following are the new rules:
1. No images of women in bikinis (Ice skating tights are not OK either)
2. No images of men in bikinis! (I didn't ask about Ice Skating tights for men)
3. No skin (he seriously said this) (I asked if a Burqa was OK, and the Apple guy got angry)
4. No silhouettes that indicate that Wobble can be used for wobbling boobs
5. No sexual connotations or innuendo: boobs, babes, booty, sex – all banned
6. Nothing that can be sexually arousing!!
7. No apps will be approved that in any way imply sexual content (not sure how Playboy is still in the store, but ...)"

They forgot the there is at least one game I found where the 3D chick in the game preview screen shots show 'up-skirt' angles for all those adolescent boys...
Bad taste, but I guess they sell em..

LOL @ #3

 

[SteveSparks]

I am actually okay with this (which surprises me). I don't want the app store to turn into a one-stop porn shop.:

+1

 

[Mister Snitch]

It's a mistake for Apple to pull those apps

The 'offensive' apps should be cordoned off to an 'adults only' back room, but they should not be pulled. Pulling them places the onerous burden of censorship on Apple. (Knowing where to draw the line on 'what is porn' has NEVER been straightforward or easy.) Instead, by 'rating' apps like the film industry does with its products, Apple is not forced to decide who lives and who dies. Let the marketplace do that.

Besides, smut sells. By eliminating it altogether, Apple is merely insuring the survival of its competitors.

 

[ugp]

The should be cordoned off to an 'adults only' back room and be done with it. But they should not be pulled. Pulling them places the burden of censorship on Apple. Instead, by 'rating' apps like the film industry does with its products, Apple is not forced to decide who lives and who dies. Let the marketplace do that.

Besides, smut sells. By eliminating it altogether, Apple is merely insuring the survival of its competitors.

That and Apple is also losing on a their share of the App sale.

 

[Adokimus]

Wow... I'm surprised by the types of comments...

Porn is horrible, it makes people do stupid things and is fundamentally taking advantage of our instincts to bang the other gender.

And people taking advantage of that by selling it? Go die in the streets.

I reported your post to the mods. Regardless of the fact that you are woefully misinformed, your message is one of hate and violence. I honestly believe that you should seek some form of help, because there is something below the surface that you are not addressing.

eh, most of those apps are useless. I do however think I'm old enough to judge for myself. I'm fairly certain I don't need Apple to shield my eyes from boobies. I can't wait for itunes censored movies and music!!!!!

Wal-mart already does that... no "explicit lyrics" CD's allowed, unless the lyrics are changed/censored. So, that's not that far-off of a fear...

Why these apps, Apple already answered, because they consider them to be overtly sexual. Why now, that's a good question. As an adult, you are correct, I can avert my eyes. (Usually...) But for my four children, who are becoming more interested in the net and I want to be net savvy, as a parent, I have a responsibility to seek safe areas for them. ...

That's great and all, and I appreciate your dedication as a parent, but if any of those four children are boys... they're gonna find some filthy stuff online sooner than you'd like. That's the truth of the matter.

It would have been a better solution for Apple to have an "adult content" section (or toggle switch to allow it) for violent games, overtly sexual apps, and explicit songs/books. Something that could be easily blocked by parents with a password...

 

[ugp]

That's great and all, and I appreciate your dedication as a parent, but if any of those four children are boys... they're gonna find some filthy stuff online sooner than you'd like. That's the truth of the matter.

It would have been a better solution for Apple to have an "adult content" section (or toggle switch to allow it) for violent games, overtly sexual apps, and explicit songs/books. Something that could be easily blocked by parents with a password...

I agree. Regardless I know even if there was a password I am sure it can be gotten around but that wouldn't be Apples problem then.

 

[Nym]

Wal-mart already does that... no "explicit lyrics" CD's allowed, unless the lyrics are changed/censored. So, that's not that far-off of a fear...

And I'll be here that day to watch everyone congratulate Apple for removing the "filth"...

The problem with this issue is that (apparently) a lot of the apps that were removed had no nudity at all!
Are we at the point that we find people in bathing suits too much for our eyes?

Obviously, Apple is in complete control of what it chooses to sell on it's Store (censorship is not the case here) but the fact that I am an Apple customer also allows me to voice my opinion regarding these choices.

What can I say? I just don't like the road that Apple seems to be taking lately.

 

[Adokimus]

This is not censorship. Do yourself a favor and find out what a word means before you toss it around.

"Censorship is the suppression of speech or deletion of communicative material which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient to the government or media organizations as determined by a censor."

via wikipedia

Apple is a media distributor and they have deleted communicative material which may be considered objectionable = Censorship

You may support Apple's decision, but that doesn't mean it's not censorship. So, you know, do yourself a favor...

 

[jsanche6]

My question is why did Apple approve them all to begin with?

I know, and they should monitor how many apps developers have and see if they're just flooding the market. If you have 600+ app someone will eventually buy ur app. That's not the idea behind the app store. If you guys are developers and see stuff like this you should report them, because it's unfair to legit developers.

 

[alhedges]

What people can't seem to get their head around here is that the 1st Amendment only pertains to how Government restricts speech, not private individuals or entities.

Strawman argument. Only you are mentioning the first amendment; no one else is. You are mentioning it because the 1st AM only applies to the state, and you are trying to imply that censorship, therefore, is only something that can be done by the state. This argument is disingenuous.

No one is claiming that Apple has violated the first amendment. No one has claimed that Apple's censorship is illegal.

What people are claiming is that Apple is engaging in censorship, and that this is wrong, or not a good idea. But not, again, that it is illegal.

Here is a link describing various forms censorship can take. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_of_music

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

Green Dam anyone?

 

[dejo]

I know, and they should monitor how many apps developers have and see if they're just flooding the market. If you have 600+ app someone will eventually buy ur app. That's not the idea behind the app store. If you guys are developers and see stuff like this you should report them, because it's unfair to legit developers.

It may be unfair but, unfortunately, spamming the App Store is not a violation of any of the SDK Agreement terms. I wish they would add such terminology.

 

[Frosties]

Those golden Apples

I really don't care about this issue more than it strikes me funny the way Apple moralize.

1. Sexual Apps pulled from App Store
2. Guns, murder and violence Apps are hard promoted on App Store

Yet porn and every conceivable thing on the Internet can be viewed in Safari. If Apple really hated and felt that "sexual" content should be banned then the Internet viewer Safari should be locked down hard with content control and only view Apple approved content. Why only do it half way. Go for the Gold.

 

[Takeo]

Whether you think it's censorship or not is irrelevant. It's Apple's store. They can sell whatever they choose. You don't have to like it. I'll get my "filth" (because apparently women and sex are filthy) elsewhere.

 

[Empuk]

Ironic...

I must say, with every day that passes, the mythic 1984 Apple commercial becomes more and more ironic. And let's not even talk about the "think different" slogan. I've been a big Apple fan for a long time now, and I have been patient with the developments in the last few years. I even accepted the Appstore policy up to now. But purging thousands of Apps because they are "overtly sexual"? It's not really that I care about those Apps, but it's a question of principal. It's a question of choice. We're all adults, we use credit cards to pay for the Apps, you have age restrictions, so I don't get the point. And if you want to restrict "overtly sexual" Apps in America. OK. But seriously, if these puritan morals are forced on a whole continent like Europe, that's where I personally draw the line. I've actually been quite fond of the idea of buying the iPad, but this whole affaire has got me thinking. I appreciate having grown up in the "free" world, to live in a democracy (France, at the moment), and to be treated as an adult, who can decide what he wants to buy or not. That's why I'm happy I don't live in China. And it seems more and more like I'll have to add America to that list now too, which is sad. Up to now, the Appstore policy was halfway acceptable, but this new witch hunt, plus the fact that our mobile phones are becoming more and more our computers... anyway, I want the right to chose. And I know more and more people who love their iPhones but who are getting fed up of being treated like children. It's sad to see how Google, Apple and company are becoming the new microsoft (and believe me, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I'm really starting to think so... well, a much more creative, nicely designed "microsoft", but still...). Anyway... I'm starting to become depressed. Hope somebody will start designing nice Linux computers, cause I feel I'm stuck with Apple now instead of completely embracing it.

 

[tatonka]

This is perfect!! I reported like 200 apps from the same developer "Sheryl Apps". This guy had I think 700+ apps that had the exact same pictures in his apps. Not only did he flood the Utilities Section but he also took advantage of the Name Sorting by Alphabetical Order. He would use like "Amazing Women, Awesome Women, A Big Boob Puzzle", he named all his apps with some word that started with an "A". Very unfair because he would take up all the "Release Date" section since he would release like 20+ apps a day. I couldn't be happier that this happened!! Now this guy's down to like 10 apps!!

Yeah that would be great if that was the reason. It wasn't though. It was the content of the apps the got them killed.
I don't like the clutter neither and would be the first applaud for getting rid of developers like the one you describe. But don't mistake this move on apples part for decluttering, because that wasn't the intention ( at least I hope I was not otherwise they have a horrible algoritmn ).

T

 

[Shin3r]

It seems these days that you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. The reality these days in the world is that parents don't "parent". I know it's a blanket statement, but Apple is between a rock and a hard place.

And let's be clear here, they stated they would filter this kind of content from the beginning. Regardless of how they judge it, it's safe to say one should not be surprised that their app got pulled for adult content.

Likewise, if you are of the mindset that people should have the freedom to do/be whatever as long as it doesn't harm others, then you really need to respect Apple's decision whether or not you agree with it. The fact is that no one has forced anyone to buy this product.

 

[Takeo]

1. Sexual Apps pulled from App Store
2. Guns, murder and violence Apps are hard promoted on App Store

Yet porn and every conceivable thing on the Internet can be viewed in Safari. If Apple really hated and felt that "sexual" content should be banned then the Internet viewer Safari should be locked down hard with content control and only view Apple approved content. Why only do it half way. Go for the Gold.

I'm gonna guess it's because it is our choice what websites we visit just like it's Apple's choice what to sell in it's store. Apple giving away a web browser doesn't put them in the 'porn' business anymore than Toshiba selling televisions puts them in the 'porn' business. Apple selling 'porn' does put them in the 'porn' business... doesn't it. Big difference. I know the apps in question are not really porn... hence the quotes. But you get the point.

 

[dejo]

I don't like the clutter neither and would be the first applaud for getting rid of developers like the one you describe. But don't mistake this move on apples part for decluttering, because that wasn't the intention ( at least I hope I was not otherwise they have a horrible algoritmn ).

Yeah. For example, Brighthouse Labs still has at least 4300 apps on the U.S. App Store. Talk about clutter.

 

[QEII Student IT]

It's all very well removing nuddy pictures, but how far does 'overtly sexual' go? Recently, my friends and I were laughing at an app called MyVibe that turns your iPhone into a vibrator. In my opinion this is somewhat worse than any bikini slideshow, will this be removed?

 

[Macsterguy]

Cleaning house

Apple is simply cleaning house before the iPad arrival so that school students aren't looking at boobies when they are supposed to be making out...

 

[IlluminatedSage]

I wonder if they could link some sort of Age verification to your iTunes account. That could maybe sort of adult specific Apps from other Apps for purchase.

In all reality blocking Adult content in App forms doesn't stop adult content from being viewed on the devices anyways. Apps just make it easier LOL

unfortunately, I just believe that this is possible, but Apple doesn't want to offer it.

I am worried about Apple's censorship policies, a great many app's or games or more have been and now are blocked. in the age of Mac OS, iphone/ipad OS, and more. it is a big risk that Apple is the gatekeeper. people cannot buy software and install it on their iphone around apple. most people do not know how to hack their phone to do that. nor should we have to.

censorship is wrong. there needs to be a easy system for apple to not sell this content, but allow others to sell apps for the iphone. if they won't sell and support programs, Apple needs to let others.

 

[Frosties]

...turns your iPhone into a vibrator. ...

Hate to be the one to borrow that one for a call...

 

[calderone]

unfortunately, I just believe that this is possible, but Apple doesn't want to offer it.

I am worried about Apple's censorship policies, a great many app's or games or more have been and now are blocked. in the age of Mac OS, iphone/ipad OS, and more. it is a big risk that Apple is the gatekeeper. people cannot buy software and install it on their iphone around apple. most people do not know how to hack their phone to do that. nor should we have to.

censorship is wrong. there needs to be a easy system for apple to not sell this content, but allow others to sell apps for the iphone. if they won't sell and support programs, Apple needs to let others.

If this is your definition of censorship then as I have stated before, make sure you call others out as well. Like Walmart for not selling music with swear words.

And no, there does not need to be an easy system for others to sell content that isn't touched by Apple. That is exactly why the App Store was created, to control what goes on the devices, whether you like it or not.

I suppose we should start a movement, we can demand that stores carry what we want and if they don't they can be what? Sued? Arrested? I have been trying to get my local grocery store to carry soylent green for a long time now. It is my right to have soylent green in a convenient location. And better at the price I want to pay, that is my right!