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Gadgets Apple Gets Strict on Adult Apps
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - February 22, 2010 12:09 PM

50 comment(s) - last by MiKandi.. on Mar 3 at 3:44 PM

Apple removes apps deemed too racy

Anyone who uses an iPhone and has perused the most popular apps on the free side of the App Store has likely noticed that many of them most popular apps are adult in nature. For a long time Apple would not allow adult or pornographic apps onto the App Store, but it relaxed that policy over the last several months.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has begun enforcing a more strict policy on adult apps than it has previously according to a person familiar with the matter. Apple has reportedly already removed the raciest of the adult oriented apps from the App Store. Two of the apps that have been removed include one that animates parts of women in photos and one for fans of a porn star.

Apple said in a statement, "If we find these apps contain inappropriate material, we remove them and request the developer make any necessary changes in order to be distributed by Apple."

According to Mac Rumors, 4,000 adult-themed apps were removed on Friday alone by Apple. ChilliFresh goes even deeper into the removals claiming that Apple's new restrictions ban “Images of women in bikinis” and that “No apps will be approved that in any way imply sexual content”.

The App Store clean up is thought to be part of housekeeping ahead of the launch of the iPad. Apps for the iPad and iPhone will operate on either platform and are expected to be a big part of the success of the iPad when it launches.

Apple has previously sparked controversy for approving the baby shaker app only to come back and remove it after complaints.

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Hmmmm...

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 2/22/2010 12:19:12 PM , Rating: 5

OK... so they ban the "Adult" apps. But that still leaves us with a fully functional and equally "adult"-prone Safari.app.

Apple is really barking up the wrong tree here. What good is it to implement parental controls in the App Store (and on the iPhone/iPod touch/iPad) if you don't even give them a chance to work in the first place?

RE: Hmmmm...

By Souka on 2/22/2010 12:42:15 PM , Rating: 1

I just don't get why these are banned?

If a user chooses to get the content, so be it.

I could easily see it being blocked by default, but if the consumer chooses to enable the content they could.

I guess it's the religous right wing controlling businesses again...

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RE: Hmmmm...

By stromgald30 on 2/22/2010 12:53:18 PM , Rating: 3

You do realize that you're supporting Libertarianism, which in the US is generally considered part of the right-wing, right?

First of all, it's doubtful that the Republicans have much influence at Apple, a very open and left-leaning company.

Secondly, this stinks more of the tactics of the Democrats (i.e. government control/authoritarianism instead of consumer choice / free market economy).

Personally, I think it's just the Apple App Store managers thinking they can fix the social ills of their users. No real political agenda here.

And IMHO, it's not a bad idea to lock up the adult stuff to a certain section of the app store that is only available if you pay a small fee each year. This gives parents some control/choice over what is available on their kid's phones.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By toyotabedzrock on 2/22/2010 1:23:31 PM , Rating: 3

Please stop spreading your lies. Republicans have historically wanted to block adult material.

The only liberty they want is for the large companies to have the world as indentured servants.

The real reason Apple is acting this way might have something to do with China? Just a thought it might be connected.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By Ammohunt on 2/22/2010 2:13:25 PM , Rating: 1

Two words Tipper Gore 1980's; look her up.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By mcnabney on 2/22/2010 3:28:34 PM , Rating: 2

Ah yes, those warning stickers. I can clearly see how a public disclaimer to identify frequently objectionable content on a product that is generally marketed to minors would be considered a ban. You are a tool.

Face it, you've thrown your lot in with a bunch of pea-brained fascists that want to regulate everything to fit their own values. No amount of wharrgarbl is going to change the simple fact that the Democrats are still the party of freedom and the Republicans are still the party of repression. Just because you hate taxes and government inefficiency doesn't make you a Republican. If 2000-2006 didn't teach you that I don't know what will.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By Ammohunt on 2/22/2010 11:01:18 PM , Rating: 2

Spoken like a true empty headed college sock puppet miming what your professors tell you never originating a thought you can call your own from that tiny little mind.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By GodisanAtheist on 2/22/2010 6:01:05 PM , Rating: 2

One word: Any politician circa whenever they need to expand government control. Check it out.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By GodisanAtheist on 2/22/2010 6:02:14 PM , Rating: 1

That's right, one word actually consists of 8 words and if you disagree you support child molesters.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By rmclean816 on 2/23/2010 4:03:42 PM , Rating: 2

i think you support child molesters because of your post

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RE: Hmmmm...

By RealTheXev on 2/25/2010 7:00:12 PM , Rating: 2

Don't forget Al Gore and Hillery Clinton. They tired to get rap music banned in the 90's

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RE: Hmmmm...

By hiscross on 2/22/2010 3:49:08 PM , Rating: 2

Yea, maybe Apple likes people to Think they are liberal, open minded, anti-christian, anti-right or whatever are the latest words being used today to categorize people, but what they are is pure capitalist. They make products to sell, not share or give away ( they give a provide an additional product in a promotion, but even then they make a profit off that product). Their profit margins are some of the highest in the industry. They have very little foot print in any US government agency (I don't know about foreign governments) as well as little influence in the enterprise. They make their money selling to consumers. If you want Apple to go away, then turn the US into a socialist/communist country. Of wait, 1-20-2009 started that process.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By keiclone on 2/23/2010 1:30:11 AM , Rating: 3

quote:
You do realize that you're supporting Libertarianism, which in the US is generally considered part of the right-wing, right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolan_chart

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RE: Hmmmm...

By adiposity on 2/23/2010 1:16:08 PM , Rating: 2

I would only add to this...ever wonder why so many "liberals" vastly preferred Ron Paul over other Republicans and many Democrats?

Yes, typically libertarians are lumped in with Republicans, but it's only because they have a historical alliance. After the last republican presidency, many (including myself) became disgusted with loss of personal liberty in the Republican policies, and defected.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By Suntan on 2/22/2010 12:58:13 PM , Rating: 5

quote:
I guess it's the religous right wing controlling businesses again...

Funny. Somehow I just don't see Jobs sitting at home watching many of Jerry Falwell's broadcasts.

I mean, at Apple, is there room for any of the other religion ?

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RE: Hmmmm...

By callmeroy on 2/22/2010 12:56:47 PM , Rating: 2

I don't understand your shock at this....or anyone's. Apple isn't the government they are a publically traded company. They can deem what products they want associated with them or not. End of story. Period. Next topic. :)

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RE: Hmmmm...

By ElderTech on 2/22/10, Rating: -1

RE: Hmmmm...

By Keeir on 2/22/2010 3:19:33 PM , Rating: 2

Hahaha... I hope your trolling.

Lets face it, in less than 30 seconds, an iphone (or ipod on WiFi) user can download all sorts of Hardcore Porn.

Most of the stuff in the App store is better than on nightly television!

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RE: Hmmmm...

By WoWCow on 2/22/2010 1:25:35 PM , Rating: 5

Well, Apple Marketing 101-

If there is a defect (Yellow iMacs), we market it as a feature (3000$).

If there is a missing feature (Flash) we market it as a security measurement (iPhone/iPad apps).

If there is something we deem obscene (Adult entertainment) we take it out and market it as morally superior. (This article)

If someone died in the manufacturing of our product, we market it as a personal sacrifice in making our superior products. (Foxconn...)

If Steve Jobs tells you to buy it, you better buy it.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By Omega215D on 2/22/2010 1:38:17 PM , Rating: 4

6. Nothing that can be sexually arousing!!

So does that mean they can't put anything about Steve Jobs or Apple products? We all know how much their fanboys get off on either of them.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By Motoman on 2/22/2010 1:53:26 PM , Rating: 2

Pirks'll be here any minute - he just had something he had to work out...

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RE: Hmmmm...

By Omega215D on 2/22/2010 3:17:08 PM , Rating: 4

It ain't a party without reader1 as well. The Ambiguously Gay Duo.

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RE: Hmmmm...

By chagrinnin on 2/22/2010 8:43:13 PM , Rating: 2

When it says:

"You have reached the maximum number of votes for this user"

...are they talking per article,...or today,...or this week?

:P

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RE: Hmmmm...

By Omega215D on 2/22/2010 9:23:13 PM , Rating: 2

don't worry someone else will rate me down for that comment.

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Apple being Apple

By bysmitty on 2/22/2010 12:32:04 PM , Rating: 5

Apple once again limits consumer choice and we're supposed to be happy about it. Thanks Apple for making decisions for me.

RE: Apple being Apple

By Suntan on 2/22/2010 12:52:35 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Apple once again limits consumer choice and we're supposed to be happy about it. Thanks Apple for making decisions for me.

Well, you know your options.

A guy at work watches his (12yr old) daughter's web surfing like a hawk, yet he lets her play with her IPod touch with little interfearance. For that type of a person, the big brother overtones are probably a good selling feature.

If you want to use Apple stuff, you should already know you're getting into a one-way relationship, namely "enjoy it or hit the road." If your iHardon for Apple still stays stiff knowing you have little choice about such matters, chances are you won't mind these kinds of lockouts.

-Suntan

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RE: Apple being Apple

By 91TTZ on 2/22/2010 1:10:48 PM , Rating: 2

LOL @ iHardon

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RE: Apple being Apple

By Steven Morgan on 2/22/2010 1:37:17 PM , Rating: 2

I hate to see less choice in any marketplace, but this is a smart business decision by Apple. Let's face it, someone shopping for an iPhone or iPad probably isn't going to decide against purchasing one because he or she cannot download pr0n apps. However, if Apple's app store get's a reputation for being an adult Candy Land of boobies and muffins, then a lot of consumers will stay away. I suspect Apple concluded they would rather loose a few libertarian customers than the vast hordes of conservative Americans that don't want their neighbors to know that they enjoy practicing procreation.

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RE: Apple being Apple

By kmmatney on 2/22/2010 6:51:35 PM , Rating: 2

Most of the porn web sites already have mobile versions. I'd rather have Apple spending time approving real apps, rather than waste time with this crap.

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Same old thing.

By Motoman on 2/22/2010 1:18:18 PM , Rating: 2

...Apple can do whatever they want on their store. It's not a public service, they don't have to do whatever their customers want, it's a proprietary service that they totally own - and they can change it at their whim.

You want freedom from that? Don't buy an Apple product. Simple as that.

If you buy an Apple product, you are affirming that you're OK with the Ts & Cs that come with it. So you have no basis to whine about it after the purchase is made.

RE: Same old thing.

By HotFoot on 2/22/2010 1:22:45 PM , Rating: 2

I think the problem has been that you sign into a 3-year contract worth a good chunk of change and find the ground shifting under you as the company changes policies. People who bought an iPhone two years ago are subject to these changes - but can they take their phone back to the store and get a refund and free termination of their contract after Apple makes any policy changes?

I think this has been a developing issue for a lot of business relationships - even ones not involving exchange of money. I'm thinking about the changing terms for Facebook, the latest (though hyped way out of proportion) Google buzz thing, and so on. Customers/users get into using something, and then the terms change. I think getting that long-term relationship balance right is something the industry is still sorting out.

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RE: Same old thing.

By Motoman on 2/22/2010 1:29:12 PM , Rating: 2

The ground didn't shift under your feet after the fact - the Ts & Cs you signed on day one say something that ultimately says "Apple can do whatever we want, whenever we want, and you can stuff it if you don't like it."

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RE: Same old thing.

By HotFoot on 2/22/2010 1:48:51 PM , Rating: 2

Fair enough... so I guess all I can do is sit back and laugh at anyone who agrees to such terms...

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RE: Same old thing.

By Motoman on 2/22/2010 2:26:08 PM , Rating: 2

Yes.

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RE: Same old thing.

By chagrinnin on 2/22/2010 8:33:13 PM , Rating: 2

There used to be an app for that. :/

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Droid

By phatboye on 2/22/2010 12:29:22 PM , Rating: 5

What the ipone doesn't, Droid does.

RE: Droid

By phatboye on 2/22/2010 12:35:07 PM , Rating: 4

And yes droid does pr0n

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Apple gets tough on adult apps; a good thing

By jjmfe on 2/22/2010 1:07:04 PM , Rating: 2

I agree with Apple's stance from a business perspective. The app store should maintain at least as high a standard as the more conservative spectrum of the society that they're trying to market to.

Of course that means you're going to have to limit some applications. It's kind of like me advising my son to eliminate tatoos and body piercings from his fashion statement if he wants to broaden the range of jobs that he's eligible for.

If you want to write apps that slide outside of that parameter and market them from a private website, that's fine too. Apple made a good choice.

RE: Apple gets tough on adult apps; a good thing

By HotFoot on 2/22/2010 1:17:20 PM , Rating: 4

I have a different philosophy regarding these types of devices. I see them more as hand-held computers, rather than a phone that also has some nifty gadgets or applications.

I wouldn't buy a computer of any other class - laptop, desktop, whatever - that was somehow restricted to certain areas of the content that's out there (generally speaking, on the internet). If I don't want something on my computer, then it's my personal choice to restrict it. But I'm not a child, and I don't need a company telling me what's morally right or wrong and restricting my actions or access accordingly.

On the other hand, I see that the iPhone an app store aren't really this way. As Apple holds the keys over what goes in the app store or not, they in a way assume some responsibility, even endorsement, of the content. In that view, they have to pay attention to their image and I doubt Apple wants things like "raunchy" attached to their brand.

Yet again why a closed system just doesn't work for me. I want to be a customer buying from a supplier, not a child being told what to do by some corporate parent. I do not accept artificial roadblocks in a product that could do more.

As I'm not an owner of the iPhone or anything Apple myself, I suppose my concern is somewhat limited. On the other hand, given how dominant the iPhone has been in the market, I do hope that the closed system model isn't adopted by all the competition, and I post my views hoping that the competition is watching and sees there is demand for open systems where the manufacturer isn't adding restrictions to what I can or can't do with a product.

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Good move....

By Vagisil on 2/22/2010 8:15:31 PM , Rating: 2

I actually approve of this apple policy... now now hear me out before you vote me down.

Has anyone ever seen the tv adverts associated with this content? Maybe you don't happen to live in that part of the world.

Watch this youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBqSBihjrIg imagine seeing this up to twelve times four two hours of TV.. can you see my point?

If that doesn't do it for you then replace the above video with this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be2AUvIZLtE

RE: Good move....

By Vagisil on 2/22/2010 8:18:16 PM , Rating: 2

*imagine seeing this up to twelve times per two hours of TV
An edit button would be nice, obviously preview does nothing for me.

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right before the ipad

By tastyratz on 2/22/2010 1:19:52 PM , Rating: 2

apple gets its period?

Good thing a solution is on its way

ok..

By twhittet on 2/22/2010 2:26:23 PM , Rating: 2

So, if they take apps away from the customer, that could be frustrating. But what about all the companies have that invested time and money to write these apps? They worked hard to get the app approved the first time. There should be a trust between a company and it's vendors - and Apple is breaking this trust by randomly changing it's mind as it pleases.

Parental Control

By psenechal on 2/22/2010 4:09:38 PM , Rating: 2

I don't think it would be too difficult to program a parental rating into the with a password the parents could set would it? Then the could assign ratings for the applications and depending on the setting on the phone, only those apps the PARENTS want their kids to see would appear and be available. After all...we should be responsible enough to monitor our children's activity right?

It's almost as if...

By munky on 2/22/2010 5:05:23 PM , Rating: 2

...the iDrones enjoy being told what to do and what not to do. Just look at all these excuses for what's obviously just another artificial limitation on users' choices.

market share

By snikt on 2/22/2010 6:17:48 PM , Rating: 2

Could this be Apple's way of drumming up more market share by restricting pr0n from their App Store thereby making the iphone, ipad, ipod, iwhatever more family oriented?

Since when is a woman in a bikini considered porn?!

By Badmoveapple on 2/22/2010 10:36:58 PM , Rating: 2

I am angered and disappointed at apple's decision to remove all apps that contain any sort of imagery of a woman even if fully clothed or in a bikini. The reason given seems to be that parents complained. What I want to know is why you guys are writing rules based on "little Johnny" looking at a woman in a bikini instead of writing rules based on the customers who paid 400 for a phone that is now being censored to an extreme that is beyond that of even your public, local, NBC tv channel. Such measures are extreme and unwarranted. Why do I get punished as a paying client for some parent who can't watch their child. I do not appreciate being treated like a child. I work hard for my money and decided to spend it with apple. Now apple is censoring apps? Since when is a woman in a bikini considered indecent anyway? This is ridiculous! I do not support it. If apple wants to go down the road of extreme censorship they Lost this client for all their products and I am sure many others will follow. Why don't you guys now remove safari from the phone. I can pull that up right now and pull up 10 times worse content than you can find in any app. And why is the playboy app still in the store? Is it because their wallets are bigger than small developers who work just as hard to earn a living? And further I don't buy the whole developers complainign story either. If their apps can't compete with these apps well maybe they shouldn't be developing to begin with. What I think is that what is really happening is that the same censor nuts who complained about women in bikinis in the app store, posed as developers to get apple's attention and to give their extreme concerns more meat. What a slap in the face to legit programmers who made apple money from their, now considered, obscene apps. I'm really disgusted on how apple has handled this whole thing. I went from vz to AT&T to get this phone. Have it for 2 months now i want to go back to vz to get a droid. Maybe they know how to handle their clients with
more respect and not like children.

Open letter to apple regarding the removal of adult apps

By ipadapps on 2/23/2010 3:03:49 AM , Rating: 2

http://ipad-apps.me/questions/77/letter-to-apple-l...

Dear Apple,

We are a collection of poor Americans, who have been jobless for the
last two years. We can barely afford a trip and all the fun we have is
to look at hot girls, aka adult apps, on our tiny iPhone screen. We
are hoping big for the iPad. The apps on iPad are poised to change the
way people interact with the real world.

But here is the rub: we are unable to use these apps with iPad because
the iPad lacks something... (What, you mean iPad doesn't have a
screen? I can watch adult stuff even with my black and white tv, but
not with this $499 iPad? Now I know why iPads are worse than stones
... )

We are asking Apple to provide adult apps on the iPad. We will be
happy to offer additional technical details.

The impact of adult apps on our lives could be as significant as the
introduction of the PC. In 10 years, we believe adult apps will change
the way everyone experiences travel, design, training, personal
productivity, health care, entertainment, games, art, and advertising.

Looking back just a few years, adult apps had to hack a slew of
components into ridiculously small screens, and be confined to rigged
environments. Nowadays, it comes in friendly, affordable packages and
the iPhone is one of the first devices to have it all – except not any
more.

The battle to determine the winning device has already begun; a public
access to adult apps will give the iPhone a lucrative ticket to
compete.

We believe Apple has a window of opportunity of about 3 months before
developers start looking elsewhere. If Apple decides to approve the
adult apps in that time frame – in the next 10 years, everyone might
be using the iPad as the preferred device to interact with the real
world.

Best regards,

Poor American People

Censorship offends me

By MiKandi on 3/3/2010 3:44:12 PM , Rating: 2

Apple has the right to ban adult content on their app store, but the issue is that they enforce these new guidelines on some developers and let others pass. This is the problem with rejecting apps based on personal preferences of acceptable behavior. It will always be subjective and ultimately stifle creativity.
It seems to us at MiKandi (the first adult app store) that consumers and developers are asking for more transparency, more options on their mobile phones and really, the understanding that the phone is theirs. It will be a mistake to not respect these demands.

I wonder...

By descendency on 2/22/2010 7:41:00 PM , Rating: 1

I wonder if Apple would start banning websites that make "Adult" web-applications that can take advantage of smart phones in Flash...

Oh wait. Nevermind. Flash is too powerful to run on the iPhone.