Apple cleans App Store of smutty apps

Written by Joe Martin

February 24, 2010 | 13:07

Tags: #app-store #casual #clean #filth #protect

Companies: #apple

Apple has cleared out the App Store of 'objectionable content' recently, removing a bunch of apps such as Wobble iBoobs on the grounds that users were finding them degrading.

"It came to the point where we were getting customer complaints from women who found the content getting too degrading and objectionable, as well as parents who were upset with what their kids were able to see," Apple's Philip Schiller, head of worldwide product marketing, told the New York Times.

Schiller indicated that an increasing number of objectionable apps were being submitted for approval and that the company had decided to draw a line, prioritising users over developers.

"We obviously care about developers, but in the end have to put the needs of the kids and parents first," he added.

Wobble iBoobs developer Jon Atherton found his game removed from the App Store and, contacting Apple, was given the following guidelines to bear in mind for future apps or updates, via Kotaku. Atherton's comments on the rules are also included, in brackets.
  • No images of women in bikinis (Ice skating tights are not OK either)
  • No images of men in bikinis! (I didn't ask about Ice Skating tights for men)
  • No skin (he seriously said this) (I asked if a Burqa was OK, and the Apple guy got angry)
  • No silhouettes that indicate that Wobble can be used for wobbling boobs (yes - I am serious, we have to remove the silhouette in [our] pic)
  • No sexual connotations or innuendo: boobs, babes, booty, sex - all banned
  • Nothing that can be sexually arousing!! (I doubt many people could get aroused with [our] pic but those puritanical guys at Apple must get off on pretty mundane things to find Wobble overtly sexual!)
  • No apps will be approved that in any way imply sexual content (not sure how Playboy is still in the store, but...)
Atherton's comments provide an interesting look at Apple's approach - namely how publications like PlayBoy and Sports Illustrated have been unaffected.

"The difference is this is a well-known company with previously published material available broadly in a well-accepted format," explained Schiller.

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