In the latest twist of Apple's confusing iPhone AppStore policies, one developer's dictionary application was rejected for "objectionable content". Why? It contained swear words.In a blog post by John Gruber, technical writer and technology pundit, Gruber confirms Apple censored an English dictionary. Matchstick software, developers of Ninja Words - a "really fast" dictionary, first submitted their iPhone application on May 13; it was rejected two days later. According to Phil Crosby, one of Ninjawords's developers, "Our app was crashing on the latest beta of iPhone OS 3.0. We quickly fixed this issue and resubmitted."
Matchstick did not hear from Apple again until May 30 when Apple rejected the application for "objectionable content". Crosby says Apple provided screen shots of swear words found during a search. The words were only found when the AppStore reviewer explicitly searched for the words. For example, running a search for fuc would not suggest a swear word. Apple claimed "Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple's reasonable judgement may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users."
Later the developers were told on July 1 the app would need to be rated 17+ to make it into the AppStore. Ninjawords later appeared in the AppStore on July 13 requiring you to be 17 years or older to purchase a censored dictionary with a list of omitted swear words.
This instance further highlights the confusing policies that Apple uses to approve applications. One high profile application that was recently rejected was Google Voice, the FCC is currently investigating why this was rejected.
Last edited by Calum on 05 Aug 2009 - 19:45
six of one....
six of one....
Yes, because they are Neowin. Anyway, lighten up.
App Store = App Land
Government = Apple
Leadership Style = Communist!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Apple, we are well into the 21st century now.. the days when we use to bother about swear words are way gone.. for heavens sake.. GROW THE **** UP! honestly what are you so worried about? tsk tsk
I think he was looking for Dictatorship / totalitarianism
indeed. people need to stop throwing around words without understanding them. 'liberal' gets the same kind of misuse (mostly in america)
That is so fetch!
You're fetch.
Happy to oblige - mine's orange.
How about a poo brown color.
Mmm, lovely.
I know, this is so hypocritical, but then, what do you expect.
Apple, come on, you have got to be joking?
Where does it say that?
I just searched for the f-word and it returned results containing the f-word. I find this to be objectionable content.
I just searched for the f-word and it returned results containing the f-word. I find this to be objectionable content.
I can look up porn on Mobile Safari. Surely this goes against their own approval system. Mobile Safari should be pulled from all iPhones/Ipods as it can potentially contain objectionable content!
I just searched for the f-word and it returned results containing the f-word. I find this to be objectionable content.
I can look up porn on Mobile Safari. Surely this goes against their own approval system. Mobile Safari should be pulled from all iPhones/Ipods as it can potentially contain objectionable content!
Not to mention what "objectionable material" can be found on youtube if you look for it lol.
That actually makes them so hypocritical! Seriously!
There's always a bit of uncertainty for the ratings: are they a reflection of the article, or the article's subject?
Dictionary.com's app has the word **** (and even ****, as well as many other 'bad words' ) in it and that was approved months ago.
Last edited by Calum on 05 Aug 2009 - 20:24
Do not speak of this again.
Dictionary.com's app has the word **** (and even ****, as well as many other 'bad words' ) in it and that was approved months ago.
Neowin did you hire Apple's reviewers?
Having the most popular product comes at a cost.
fixed it
Stop crying and come to terms with the fact your beloved company isn't perfect.
Ahh Sethos who doesn't like ANYTHING.
I'm not sure how that's in any way a rebuttal. It actually puts him in a more objective position.
Agree.
Only if you think anything he has to say adds to the discussion. Sethos, from my expreience with him, hates everything and has stated his mission is to be critical.
Last edited by Examinus on 05 Aug 2009 - 20:21
I deleted the screenshot! Do you think I should put it back?
I don't think that would be a good idea.
OMG! I want a refund on my MacBookPro because it contains objectionable content!!! NOT!
Seriously, I don't understand why a developer can write any app for the Mac whether is duplicates existing functionality or not, but on the iPhone the very same developer has to work with no guidelines trying not to step on someone's toes.
Apple, why not let the market decide if a third party app is better than your own app and provide the same rules for content across both platforms? They are both MacOS X anyway.
... not.
Silly Apple.
Don't laugh it will happen :p
Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!
Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.