TechnoRogue.com

In a recent article from TiPB.com, “5000 Sex-based iPhone Apps Removed…“, it appears that Apple has laid down the law regarding Apps having any form of sexual content. Really? Based on my most recent visit to the app store, just an hour ago, this doesn’t appear to be the case. Apple’s inconsistencies with respect to the App store continue. Ok, there are a few problems with this new policy (I’m sure there are more than just a few…but I’m only going to discuss a few).

Firstly, why not implement this policy across the board? As I write this, I can still get the Playboy app. There is NO way this app doesn’t have “sexual content”. I’m even considering spending $0.99 on the app just to prove a point. If Apple is going to have a policy like this, then enforce it fairly and equally. Does Playboy give a special kickback to Apple to keep the app in the store? Has Apple just not got to this app yet? Has TiPB.com exaggerated the number of apps to be removed? I don’t know for sure yet, but will look into this further.

Secondly, why not let the consumer determine what they find offensive and non-offensive? There are plenty of apps I consider to be utterly useless and “offensive”, so I protest it by not purchasing the app. I don’t care if it’s in the app store, or even if it’s in the “Featured” or “What’s Hot” lists. Congratulations to the developer for getting it on the list and making some money! You didn’t get my money, so no skin off my nose (or no deductions off my iTunes credit, as the case may be).

Thirdly, if Apple is going to enforce policies such as “No images of women in bikinis” or “Nothing that can be sexually arousing”, then what about medical/educational apps that deal with anatomy? Yes I know anatomy texts rarely have women in bikinis…in fact, they usually show A LOT more. So will these apps be pulled, or will they be saved because they are for educational purposes? I certainly hope the latter is the case. I actually have a few of the bikini/model apps because I use them as reference models when drawing. Sure I could look up pictures via Safari (provided Apple doesn’t pull Safari because it can contain “sexually arousing” images), but it is a lot easier to simply go to an app and find a picture that works. What about the “Art Model” apps currently available in the store? Will those be pulled as well? So “sexy” apps are bad, but “farting” apps are good? Not in my opinion.

Lastly, and here’s the biggest problem I see with this recent policy — if Apple continues to cripple the content available to the consumer, then the consumer will find other means to get what they want, whether it be via different devices, or un-crippling the current device. It’s almost like Apple is forcing us to jailbreak our phones if we want some form of “adult” content. Don’t forget Apple — Safari is on our device and we can easily find that content you are so eager to block. Why not just make a full “18 and over” section to the app store and let the people decide what apps they want to get.