subject: Apple Store and Censorship [print this page] Apple Store and Censorship Apple Store and Censorship
Apple Store, the one and only place to receive service for your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad whereupon you can browse and download applications has been under fire for its censorship or lack thereof. This one billion dollar company just can't seem to win when it comes to figuring out how to protect those who don't want to have their eyes come across what they feel is pornographic while maintaining the rights of others who don't care.
Apples censorship began most prominently in May 2009 when it rejected its first version of 'Newspapers', an iPhone app that let users read content from 50 plus newspapers around the world. Why the rejection? The topless girls featured on "Page 3", a feature found in the British tabloid The Sun. Apple quickly released a second version of the newspaper application removing access to The Sun. This was followed by another application similar to 'Newspapers' called 'Eucalyptus', which allowed users to download e-books to their iPhone, which was also censored due to one of the e-books that could have been downloaded called the Kama Sutra. Even with this, Apple Store was continuing to allow folks to download Playboy and Sports Illustrated adult rated apps. People across the world cried foul and told Apple they were hypocrites.
Apple, while trying to block apps with pornographic terms, missed obvious ones over and over. At the same time, they were rejecting satirical apps that mocked public figures. For example, in December 2009, Apple banned a cartoon app called NewsToons by cartoonist Mark Fiore on such grounds. The Pulitzer Prize winning cartoons were considered to have 'ridiculed public figures.'
Those who were irritated with the censorship couldn't figure out why Apple would block small time topics and yet feature Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit 2010 application. Staff from Apple Worldwide Product Marketing explained that they were allowing more well-known companies to show their content.
Apple has removed over 5,000 applications with their new rules, based on what they feel is most inappropriate. This gives the impression to readers that what is inappropriate is based on any given publications circulation. Users have also been frustrated that people at Apple won't make up their mind, first they allow the apps and then they block them. At first they thought parents should set up parental controls and then they thought Apple should. Why build in parental controls if nobody has to use them, people have asked.
Apple tech groupies are also wondering why Apple is spending so much time removing apps, creating more work for themselves in scanning every new application that comes across their desk when built into every iPhone and iPod touch is not one but two huge entry points for explicit material, both of which are made by Apple themselves. The first is iTunes, with no shortage of films, TV shows, nudity and sexual content.
The second is Safari. With this web browser, anyone can pull up any type of nudity, porn and such with the click of a button.
Being one of the largest gatekeepers of content, how will Apple proceed with its censorship? The rules seem to change day to day, but the double standard seems to be remaining the same.
Visit Twitter Follower Supply Now
Thousands of Targeted Twitter Followers Guaranteed
Second: Get Your 50 FREE FOLLOWERS
Guaranteed Targeted Followers That Visit Your Website and Spend Money!
