Something doesn't sound right

[Maclver]

Ok I read this article on TechCrunch: http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/20/app-store-rules-sexy/

One developer, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to multiple App Store reviewers about the new policy. He was told, “there will be no more applications that are for any purpose of excitement or titillation”. He was told this included swimsuits — both bikinis and one-piece suits. Along with having dozens of his “sexy” apps removed, Apple also removed one that featured a popular fitness model in her workout clothes (the app was a marketing vehicle for the athlete’s line of protein powder). When he asked if the ban would also affect apps like Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit application, the Apple employee wouldn’t give a clear answer, but it was implied that the SI app would probably be removed as well.

Developer Jon Atherton, who is behind the popular application Wobble (which doesn’t actually include any sexual photos), also spoke to an Apple employee, and posted this list of rules to his blog based on what he learned:

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 (yes – I am serious, we have to remove the silhouette in this pic)

5. No sexual connotations or innuendo: boobs, babes, booty, sex – all banned

6. Nothing that can be sexually arousing!! (I doubt many people could get aroused with the pic above but those puritanical guys at Apple must get off on pretty mundane things to find Wobble “overtly sexual!)

7. No apps will be approved that in any way imply sexual content (not sure how Playboy is still in the store, but …)

This to me sounds like some dev is mad that their dumb app got pulled..... I really can't see Apple saying anything like those 7 things....It really seems like a push for attention.


EDIT: Also why I think this is fake crap is I did a quick search in the app store and I found women in bikinis and men, vibrating boobs, and everything else

 

[MacToddB]

This to me sounds like some dev is mad that their dumb app got pulled..... I really can't see Apple saying anything like those 7 things....It really seems like a push for attention.

EDIT: Also why I think this is fake crap is I did a quick search in the app store and I found women in bikinis and men, vibrating boobs, and everything else

I'm afraid it's real. There are countless examples of apps that have been pulled, in the past few days. I think Apple is just catching up to the remaining apps. In fact, four of the apps in your screenshot re now gone.

They also have to decide what to do about corporate apps like Playboy and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, without looking like hypocrites. Check out On The Go apps and Peekaboo... these were developers making a small fortune and now zero.

http://www.onthegogirls.com/

http://www.switched.com/2010/01/27/man-rides-dirty-iphone-app-to-retirement/


I don't want to defend these guys and their apps but this smacks of Restraint of Trade. Suppose they paid licensing/royalty fees for models, etc., etc. What if they quit day jobs, hired employees, leased office space, etc.? This split-personality by Apple (they love the revenue and to cite the number of apps) has dangerous consequences. But what politician wants to be seen as defending soft-porn apps?

The right thing to do would be to create a separate category, and verify perhaps through a credit card (as opposed to just an iTunes giftcard) that the viewer is 17+.

 

[Gokunama]

I've enjoyed some of the apps that put quality pics sized for the iPhone out. I mean I could search and download pics, but to crawl through lots of pics that I don't care for to find the ones that I like, then either just keep them as the original size or crop them, I'd rather just pay 99 cents and have it all done for me. Oh well.

I'm guessing this is a battle that Apple can't win. They'll have to allow these apps sometime and as the poster above said, create some sort of system to differentiate between underage and adults.

 

[Sparky9292]

Use Cydia to release porn apps....

Ok I read this article on TechCrunch: http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/20/app-store-rules-sexy/

One developer, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to multiple App Store reviewers about the new policy. He was told, “there will be no more applications that are for any purpose of excitement or titillation”. He was told this included swimsuits — both bikinis and one-piece suits.

About damn time. Do what ******* and spankwire do, they have iphone optimized versions of photos and videos. Simply charge $0.99 for access and whammo, you are rich.

If you really want a softporn app, release it on Cydia. That's what the makers of iSteamy did and they are rich.