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

[Thex1138]

This does not answer my question. As I understand, these apps are popular. Are you sure that 90% of current iPhone users are not going to switch to a different phone to maintain their "experience" the way like it?

Umm it doesn't matter anyway, they are banned now.

If anyone really wants these apps then they can ask the developers to take them to Android or Windows Mobile devices....

And if they don't like the experience on the other device platforms then there's not much more to do or say really...

 

[peterdevries]

I'm glad Apple is doing this. If anyone here is against this I suggest that you find something else to fulfill your personal pleasures.

There are other ways. Many blogs have a NSFW button. Apple could put a NSFW or whatever tag to that kind of app, and "normal" user would never have to see them. It's even technologically easy to filter them out top 100 lists etc.

 

[inkswamp]

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

So what exactly is your definition of censorship? I'd be curious to know how you define it because from where I stand, this is censorship clear and simple.

I'm assuming you're one of those people who thinks it's only true censorship if the government does it or it's somehow implemented in a way that involves the law. Well, sorry, but that's the connotation but not the denotation of the word. We can split hairs over whether Apple is justified in censoring these apps, but you cannot have your own definition of the word "censorship."

What is beyond argument is that Apple is engaging in censorship. I find it repulsive and unnecessary.

 

[neutrino23]

It looks to me that this might be a harbinger of things to come. Perhaps this whole idea of one corporation policing people activities is not so great. Sure, there is a contract: by buying our phone you agree to use it only the way we approve. Legal? Yes. Sensible? I am not sure.

I think the reactions to this are way overblown. Apple is in the retail business. Walk into any retail store and you will find a certain selection of material.

The difference here is that Apple is the sole gatekeeper determining which apps are to be sold. However, there are other ways to put ribald material on the iPhone so I'm not terribly upset but I am a little concerned. I would support Apple if they could figure out a solid way to separately provide an adult store.

I think PC World had a good insight. With the upcoming iPad being partially targeted at providing text books for schools it is good business to clean up the app store in advance of the iPad's release. Good for them. The iPad should have a problem free release. Can't say for sure it would happen but I'd hate to see the iPad release get side tracked into a discussion about whether this is a vehicle for kids to get racy material.

 

[PJT]

Censorship sucks.

I guess I don't get how this is censorship. I may be wrong, but I don't think Apple is telling people that they can't create, distribute or consume porn. They are just saying that they don't want to sell it in the App Store. Don't they have a right to decide what they want to sell in their own store? And if we don't like what they are selling, or not selling, then we have the ability to make our opinions known with our wallets and the choice to not use an iPhone or Touch. I would think that the porn industry is creative enough to come up with it's own version of the iPhone as a stand against censorship, if it really wanted to.

Perhaps this seemingly goes against Apple's "There's an app for that" campaign, but I have no problem with their decision. And I respect that not everyone holds my opinion. In the end, Apple is a company that wants to make a profit. Vote with your wallet. That is what I am doing.

 

[weezer160]

Interesting that Grindr is still there, seeing as I literally had actual sex with an actual human male using that app the other day...

Also, this is terrible, I'm an adult who can make my own decisions, etc. What with this and the internet filter I'm starting to feel the pressure of the nanny state.

since when did apple become the state? Second, of you're such a big boy, go somewhere else where you can find what you are looking for. If you're going to hide behind this state-this and state-that, keep in mind this business has decided to run things the way they see fit as a company wihout any "nanny state" input. So grow up and stop blaming everything on the state.

 

[designgeek]

Then they better open up the damn platform or this crap isn't going to fly. I want to install whatever I want on my iPod and soon-to-have iPhone. I shouldn't have to jail break to max out its potential.

 

[Man-Droid]

I guess I don't get how this is censorship. I may be wrong, but I don't think Apple is telling people that they can't create, distribute or consume porn. They are just saying that they don't want to sell it in the App Store.

Apple has stated they are not going to sell apps that are "Overtly Sexual". The problem with that is how broad it is. Porn is obviously out but it appears even tasteful art could be banned if not approached with extreme caution.

 

[songcunzhi]

What Apple really need to do is to clean the weeds, not everything sexual. Like the "puff" I have is at least a creative app. It is kinds of sexual, but I can't see how harmful it is either to developer or users.
I never did a statistic on how many junk apps and sexual apps are in the store. Some of them can be both. But I can see there are many junks, which are just waste of time (money too, sometimes) to view and try.
As important as cleaning weeds, Apple should also find an efficient way to root out fake reviews written by people who are paid to do this. These fake reviews are mostly very misleading, and they can seriously damage App store's reputation.

 

[marksman]

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..

Someone needs to claim they are sexually aroused by farting and flashlights.

 

[AppEzzy]

I am glad they removed them, most of these companies were just basically spamming the app store with 10 variations of the same type of app every day. Our last app that was released had a entire page of these apps released on the same day. When you looked at the recent releases we were lost in a sea of boob apps.

 

[milk242]

Apple is concerned about its own image. Since these apps are at the top of the rating charts what does it says about Apple customers, Apple products and Apple itself?

They (Apple) want to hide the fact that the majority of their customers are horny

They have that much confidence and know that they dominate the market that they are willing to bet that the horny iphone customers (which are also the majority) won't leave the platform.

 

[Thex1138]

...Apple should also find an efficient way to root out fake reviews written by people who are paid to do this. These fake reviews are mostly very misleading, and they can seriously damage App store's reputation.

Fake reviews can be spotted but depends on the pattern... a string of negative or neutral ratings then a rush of high rankings and great feedback which are complete opposites or appear to all be beaming for the same developer then they are likely to be scammers or paid responses... low life's.
Apple can see the patterns anyway because the reviewers need to have the app loaded or purchased, or to have signed on to provide feedback on an app...
That's how they banned that developer based in India last year...

 

[lilo777]

They (Apple) want to hide the fact that the majority of their customers are horny

They have that much confidence and know that they dominate the market that they are willing to bet that the horny iphone customers (which are also the majority) won't leave the platform.

I agree. But maybe they underestimate mother nature

 

[Ximie]

If you start censor porn, it's the beginning of many censoring. Also, there is no real competition. If you have an iphone, you have to choice but to choose to download from the Appstore.

Apple becomes cocky, and this is the beginning of the end.

The reason porn apps are in the top 25 is because there is a serious demand for it. Porn app developers will now start to seriously support android, htc, blackberry etc.

 

[VanNess]

Good job, Apple! Now, remove ALL of those fart apps, and we are back in business.

I seem to recall that Apple, on it's own initiative, removed the fart app (the one that started it all) and then "we" complained. Apple relented, it was reinstated, and at one point became the number one downloaded app in the store.

Maybe Apple just doesn't want to associate itself with these types of apps. It may be less about censorship/big brother and more about the label. I'm sure to some extent Apple's image is a part of this decision.

Then why wait until now? Supposedly, every app is manually reviewed and approved by Apple. If there was an issue concerning perceived adult content, then maybe when they got to, say, submission number 500 it would have occurred to somebody that it might be time to set the record straight.

I wonder if this has something to do with the recent move of making the app store available in a standard browser. Music/App store content restrictions via iTunes parental controls preference would appear to be moot if this stuff is accessed via a browser, and Apple would likely take a fair amount of heat for not having any restrictions in place for regular browser access. They could, arguably, force a content warning page beforehand but that would be very unApple-like given their view that simplicity and fewer clicks rules all.

 

[kiljoy616]

I would like to see the useless apps pulled also......

Apple is not doing it for quality purpose is more of a quasi religious like cleanup of sexually exclusive apps. After all think of the children with credit cards.

 

[Man-Droid]

I seem to recall that Apple, on it's own initiative, removed the fart app (the one that started it all) and then "we" complained. Apple relented, it was reinstated, and at one point became the number one downloaded app in the store.



Then why wait until now? Supposedly, every app is manually reviewed and approved by Apple. If there was an issue concerning perceived adult content, then maybe when they got to, say, submission number 500 it would have occurred to somebody that it might be time to set the record straight.

I wonder if this has something to do with the recent move of making the app store available in a standard browser. Music/App store content restrictions via iTunes parental controls preference would appear to be moot if this stuff is accessed via a browser, and Apple would likely take a fair amount of heat for not having any restrictions in place for regular browser access. They could, arguably, force a content warning page beforehand but that would be very unApple-like given their view that simplicity and fewer clicks rules all.

I agree with you but it is possible for policies to change. The App store has grown. Maybe Apple just decided it was time to clean out some waste. I do think the new restrictions are harsh and they are taking it a bit far. 5000 apps in one day is kind of ridiculous. There is easily a middle ground they can tread here. Nope, Apple is going for controversy.

 

[kiljoy616]

If you want porn browse to a site. There are tons of sites made specifically for the iPhone.

There are a ton of useless apps in the AppStore and they just need to be rid of anyways.

But there is the problem this has nothing to do with useless apps or quality control, just with sex, say it with me people, SEX (smile as you say it)

 

[rhett7660]

I kind of relate the app store to a real big box store. If the big box doesn't want to have this type of stuff in the store they don't have to and they won't sell it. How is this any different?

 

[marksman]

Fake reviews can be spotted but depends on the pattern... a string of negative or neutral ratings then a rush of high rankings and great feedback which are complete opposites or appear to all be beaming for the same developer then they are likely to be scammers or paid responses... low life's.
Apple can see the patterns anyway because the reviewers need to have the app loaded or purchased, or to have signed on to provide feedback on an app...
That's how they banned that developer based in India last year...

Since I know for a fact you can pretty much cheaply work for hire any of this stuff, I am sure these days it is easy to pay people .10 to .25 a pop to get them to write a good review for you. These people do this kind of low pay work to make a little extra money, and I do mean little. But it goes on all the time.

A developer could spend $20 bucks and get 100-200 5 star reviews.

 

[kiljoy616]

If you start censor porn, it's the beginning of many censoring. Also, there is no real competition. If you have an iphone, you have to choice but to choose to download from the Appstore.

Apple becomes cocky, and this is the beginning of the end.

I can't see how apple will die or the iphone, only way would be something as good but open. good luck waiting for that to come to the market. maybe it will but I for am not going to hold my breath. I had hoped that Google would have bought out something as good, but it did not happen, so its crack the phone or move on and dream of a utopia technology future.

 

[marksman]

I agree with you but it is possible for policies to change. The App store has grown. Maybe Apple just decided it was time to clean out some waste. I do think the new restrictions are harsh and they are taking it a bit far. 5000 apps in one day is kind of ridiculous. There is easily a middle ground they can tread here. Nope, Apple is going for controversy.

Disagree. If you are going to do it, do it all at once.

Otherwise you drag out people complaining over potentially months all the while screaming and complaining, "Why did my boobbot 2000 get pulled but not sideshow 5000?"

This way it is quick like a bandaid. Rip it off and be done with it. No lingering complaining over months. It all dies down in a few days and that is that.

 

[pavelbure]

I'm glad they are doing this. I'm not sure how many of you check to see what new apps come out daily, but these jp. girl apps are everywhere. how many of these apps does the store need ?

 

[PJT]

Apple has stated they are not going to sell apps that are "Overtly Sexual". The problem with that is how broad it is. Porn is obviously out but it appears even tasteful art could be banned if not approached with extreme caution.

I see what you are saying. There are gray areas. Like judging in the Olympics. Whoever skies down the mountain fastest is easy to determine, but it is not always clear whose jump and spin is the best.

I guess for me, it just goes back to my personal choice. When I don't like what a company sells, or does not sell, the main way I voice my opinion is through my wallet.

It is interesting to read the variety of opinions.