Apple has sent out notices to some developers who have previously submitted an application that contains sexual content that Apple claims is “inappropriate.” TechCrunch is reporting that “Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored)” was recently removed by Apple, after it was previously approved, for over a year now.
Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored) was submitted on January 27, 2009, back when Apple was allowing sexual content on their App Store, if users confirmed that they were 17 years of age or older. Apple didn’t remove every application that contains sexual content, only the select ones they deemed inappropriate for consumers.
The developer for Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored) received this email from Apple:
The App Store continues to evolve, and as such, we are constantly refining our guidelines. Your application, Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored), contains content that we had originally believed to be suitable for distribution. However, we have recently received numerous complaints from our customers about this type of content, and have changed our guidelines appropriately.
We have decided to remove any overtly sexual content from the App Store, which includes your application.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter. If you believe you can make the necessary changes so that Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored) complies with our recent changes, we encourage you to do so and resubmit for review.
Sincerely,
iPhone App Review
image courtesy of TechCrunch
Applications like “Exotic Positions” and “Sexy Women” were both pulled, while “Beautiful Boobs”, “Sexy Girls Uncovered”, and “Sex Strip” all remain on the App Store.
Comments (43)
ReplyI still don't see Apple's motivation here. Surely people aren't going to think Apple is a company in the porn business if they happen to sell a few adult apps? I mean...the phone has a perfectly capable web browser and media player that can both be used to view pornographic material on already.
They should just allow adult content to those accounts that have had a credit card attached to it or some other form of identification and leave it at that.
In all honesty this constant back and forwards on what is allowed is infuriating not only to consumers but developers also and I think its only a matter of time before Apple ends up in courts over some of their practices, either at removing apps like they have here or their previous policies stating app developers cant duplicate the phones functionality (which has huge gray areas when Apple starts adding apps after ones already exist).
With Opera already showing off a web browser despite speculation that Apple wouldn't even allow it under its current rules perhaps they are setting themselves up for a legal fight and are just drumming up some public support by showing a working version now. We can only hope.
Gdammit, what's wrong with you Apple?
Freaking finally get a consistent approval policy.
Actually, why at all? Darnit. Your approval structure should involve making sure apps are safe to run and install, and IF you starting censoring -actual content- - as i said- GET A POLICY that doesn't change however the whether is.
Glassed Silver:mac
Freaking finally get a consistent approval policy.
Actually, why at all? Darnit. Your approval structure should involve making sure apps are safe to run and install, and IF you starting censoring -actual content- - as i said- GET A POLICY that doesn't change however the whether is.
Glassed Silver:mac
And that's why the Android platform will overtake iPhone. People can make and install what they want (as long as it's not malware, unless phone users really really want to run malware on their phones). Apple's totalitarian control of iPhone has some benefits, but it has its drawbacks.
These customers should get a damn life. Seriously.
These customers should get a damn life. Seriously.
qft.
Darnit, maybe the option of "hiding" this type of content for your AppleID would be enough?
Seriously, I'm quite an Apple fanboy, but the last 2 years Apple has made it VERY EASY for me to constantly complain about that company.
How far have we come that the once most loyal kind of fanboys - apple fanboys - get all upset constantly? Oh boy...
The smell of getting more mainstream, grrr... It stinks! And it doesn't fit my old Apple I have - laugh if you want - loved in my younger years. (Guys, I flipped out in 2006 when I got my first Mac!)
Glassed Silver:mac
I think hiding the content would be a better idea. People could have the option to have adult content not displayed while browsing the application store. It would allows those who wish to buy these adult orientated applications to be able to. Its ridiculous that a minority of people can get offended about some banal things and have things changed based on their beliefs and end up restricting peoples choices.
and that is why in the end microsoft and google will prevail.
Apple, the company that brought you "sexy" hardware...
One reason I wont buy an iPhone. Screw being told what and what I can't install.
So, you won't buy WP7 as well because Microsoft will dictate you what to install and block you from third-party applications . Just like Apple.
So, you won't buy WP7 as well because Microsoft will dictate you what to install and block you from third-party applications . Just like Apple.
no they wont, that was an unfounded rumour. Like microsoft would ever make an OS that didn't give developers the freedom to install what they want how they want. As ridiculous as microsoft making an OS that wouldn't have preemptive multitasking. Really, wake up..
no they wont, that was an unfounded rumour. Like microsoft would ever make an OS that didn't give developers the freedom to install what they want how they want. As ridiculous as microsoft making an OS that wouldn't have preemptive multitasking. Really, wake up..
MS will offer an app store that will only distribute "certified" apps...as of right now, no one knows if youll be able to install third party apps outside the app store...
MS will offer an app store that will only distribute "certified" apps...as of right now, no one knows if youll be able to install third party apps outside the app store...
Like everything else, Microsoft is going the Apple way :-)
Like everything else, Microsoft is going the Apple way :-)
The way of the dinosaur?
Like everything else, Microsoft is going the Apple way :-)
you mean Apple is going the MS way...getting to big for their own good...starting to get riddles with security issues and buggy as hell software....
you mean Apple is going the MS way...getting to big for their own good...starting to get riddles with security issues and buggy as hell software....
Apple was never not buggy and was never secure. With more users people just find the bugs faster and people have a reason to actually hack a mac with more users to target. No computer, including Linux and Unix, is 100% secure. If Linux was 90% of the market, there would be just as many viruses for it as we have now for windows.
Fair enough Apple has their own rules for their own store, but I don't think it's fair to enact policy changes retrospectively like this, and suddenly without prior warning remove apps without giving the developers a chance to re-submit [i]before[/i] the rules are changed. Apple can make it up as they go along, really.
Apple has come close to drawing some action in certain countries over how it runs the iTunes store and how it gets integrated with their products. Moves like this will only lead to them either having to enact a policy change or being forced to open things up or something. Yes it's their store but given how inconsistent things are run and how apps can be suddenly pulled a year later when its functioned that way since day one then I think someone will have a rather strong case against them.
Apple has come close to drawing some action in certain countries over how it runs the iTunes store and how it gets integrated with their products. Moves like this will only lead to them either having to enact a policy change or being forced to open things up or something. Yes it's their store but given how inconsistent things are run and how apps can be suddenly pulled a year later when its functioned that way since day one then I think someone will have a rather strong case against them.
The reason Apple can't be sued is the developers did get a warning about it. As much as we might not like it, stating "These terms are subject to change without notice" covers them legally.
The reason Apple can't be sued is the developers did get a warning about it. As much as we might not like it, stating "These terms are subject to change without notice" covers them legally.
Possibly but in the case of whats going on in this article, court can't touch them. At least not on the premise of anti competitive or changing its policies. Considering that your AT&T account can be attached to your Itunes account, and plenty of minors have IPhones, having adult content readily available is asking for a lawsuit since the apps all get screened. The credit card check no longer serves as a valid check for if the user is old enough to purchase the item. Anyone with half a brain would recognize it comes back to parents failing at their job to watch what there kids do, but in the USA we tend to just go after someone else instead of looking out our own mistake. How many times has google gone to court because their image search has adult material in it? The early versions didn't filter it at all.
Well I wasn't saying it would be the US that would be the first to make the jump. On the contrary I think the pressure will come from elsewhere. Remember, the iPhone is not a US + AT&T only device and as such the pressure could come from elsewhere. Being a global store if any change is made somewhere I'm sure it would have a flow on effect.
While that is true, these big companies tend to make blanket policies. They make sure they work everywhere. Easier to keep this content off their market for legal issues.
Fu...ing Apple, the new iMoralizing corporation. Go The Hell!!!
Can you expect anything different? Its the United States. We live in a nation where the government says parents don't know how to raise their own kids so the government is constantly taking companies to court that make it to easy to get to adult material. They are saving money by preventing that kind of court case at what cost? A few kids on a online forum complaining about it? Our comments aren't going to stop anyone from buying an Apple product that was planning on it.
the app is not the problem imo .... its the people complaining about it who are the problem
AppleCOP not apple corp.
What am I going to fap to on the bus now?! Thanks apple
lol - does anybody even buy those apps? :/
And 50,000 iPhone "Apps" are now gone.
Windows Phone - Keeping porn, adult content, and REAL mobile applications alive!
Thank you, Apple. (non-sarcastic)
+1
I am quite surprised seeing the number of people here upset by this change, and whats more surprising are their arguments.
What about numerous complaints about removing the content?
This is why I'll never own an iphone, to much censorship and control makes it a pretty crap device to own.
+1
"Thank you for your understanding in this matter. If you believe you can make the necessary changes so that Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored) complies with our recent changes, we encourage you to do so and resubmit for review."
Slightly optimistic as a request...
Slightly optimistic as a request...
Seems like it's a prewritten generic message
Seems like it's a prewritten generic message
Yeah, I know - just obviously not proofread for stupidity before the Apple bods sent it.
Yeah, I know - just obviously not proofread for stupidity before the Apple bods sent it.
And typing up 50,000 personal messages is the smart thing to do? Of course its prewritten
"Thank you for your understanding in this matter."
I love their wording. Saying that before a person has has the opportunity to respond is like saying:
"We don't really care what you think on this matter."
My condolences go out to the creators of "Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored)"......
I'm sure this app will be sorely missed.
end sarcasm.
Great. Just when I can finally tune myself away from real women and take all my perviness on the iBoob app Apple pulls this stunt. Now I'm forced to molest real women. GOOD GOING APPLE.
Do people lose the app if they have already bought and installed it aswell?
Shouldn't unless it is an internet dependent app.
In lieu of Apple’s decision to remove ‘overtly sexual apps’, we’ve received an influx of new developers registering on MiKandi, and many more have expressed their interest to port their recently banned adult apps over to Android (can’t wait to see all the goodies!).
I know this may be frustrating for developers and users alike, but we applaud Apple’s efforts to be more clear with their policy regarding sexual content. In fact, we’d like to thank them! After all, Vegas wouldn’t feel like Vegas, if we didn’t have Disneyland for a comparison.
MiKandi â€" The App Store that treats you like an Adult