Apple removing risque iPhone apps: reports

Feb 21, 2010
An iPhone 3Gs is displayed at an Apple store in San Francisco, California. Apple has begun removing risque iPhone and iPod Touch applications from its online App Store, including some which had previously been approved for sale, according to reports on Saturday.

Apple has begun removing risque iPhone and iPod Touch applications from its online App Store, including some which had previously been approved for sale, according to reports on Saturday.

Technology blog TechCrunch and The Wall Street Journal said the new policy towards adult-themed contents had resulted, for example, in the deletion of applications featuring bikini models.

TechCrunch said Apple had begun notifying application developers earlier this week that apps with "overtly sexual content" were being removed.

"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," the Journal quoted an Apple statement as saying.

The Journal said the move appeared to be part of an effort by Apple to clean up the App Store ahead of the shipping late next month of its new tablet computer.

The newspaper said the App Store, which offers more than 140,000 programs, will be an important part of the marketing of the iPad, which intends to promote as a device for families and schools.

Explore further: Mobile app to help fight against racism in France

add to favorites email to friend print save as pdf

Related Stories

Apple’s App Store Downloads Top 1.5 Billion in First Year

Jul 14, 2009

Apple today announced that customers have downloaded more than 1.5 billion applications in just one year from its App Store, the largest applications store in the world. The App Store is also growing at an incredible pace ...

Apple App Store downloads hit two billion mark

Sep 28, 2009

Apple announced Monday that more than two billion applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch have been downloaded from its App Store, just five months after hitting the one-billion download mark.

Apple lets iPhone apps get down to business

Oct 17, 2009

Apple said Friday that it is allowing businesses to sell content or services through applications given away for free at the iPhone maker's online App Store.

Apple's booming App Store tops 100,000 programs

Nov 04, 2009

Apple on Wednesday announced that outside developers have crammed the virtual shelves of its App Store with more than 100,000 mini-programs for iPhones and iPod Touch devices.

Apple App Store downloads top three billion

Jan 05, 2010

Apple on Tuesday announced that more than three billion mini-applications for iPhone and iPod Touch devices have been downloaded from the firm's online App Store.

Recommended for you

Mobile app to help fight against racism in France

May 24, 2013

A French anti-racism association is launching a mobile application it hopes will help eradicate racist graffiti by enabling users to take photos of offensive tags, geo-locate them and get them removed.

Google Drive sports new view and scan enhancements

May 23, 2013

(Phys.org) —Google Drive has a new look and functions. The makeover in Google Drive features scanning and interface enhancements that put the user into "card" mode. The enhancements make it easy for the ...

Model will unlock mysteries of the voice

May 22, 2013

Swedish researchers are leading the development of the world's first comprehensive model of the human voice, which could contribute to better voice care, voice prosthetics, talking robots and teaching opportunities.

Patented system better secures digitally stored data

May 21, 2013

(Phys.org) —Arizona State University computer scientist Gail-Joon Ahn has been granted a U.S. patent for a novel identity management system that helps protect personal identity information stored on digital devices.

UC Davis startup changes listening experience

May 20, 2013

Fifteen years of research at the University of California, Davis, is being turned into commercial products by Dysonics, a startup company based in San Francisco. Since becoming the first "graduate" from the Engineering Translational ...

User comments : 3

Adjust slider to filter visible comments by rank

Display comments: newest first

abhishekbt
not rated yet Feb 21, 2010
Its about time! Anyone who is regular to the app store would have noticed atleast some form of soft pornography doing the rounds. While I agree such type of apps may have its own market and I dont't object to having a few of such apps on the store. What upsets me the most is when such apps flood the store. Such apps sometimes end up on the top lists as well.

The bikini example is pretty good. Try a search for bikini and I am sure you will get over a 100 results all with similar content and theme.

Good move Apple. I would advise to leave a few paid apps for the discerning people and trash the rest.
paulthebassguy
not rated yet Feb 21, 2010
Although I agree with Apple in this instance and I don't want to see soft porn on my iPhone, I still think that Apple are being generally too draconian with their monopoly over apps.

Basically Apple decide what I'm allowed to install on my own iPhone, which kinda sucks.

What I would like is to be able to install my iPhone apps from anywhere. Even apps that I write and develop myself I still can't install on my own iPhone unless I jail break it.
Arikin
not rated yet Feb 21, 2010
Yes this is a bit draconian but it is their store...

Besides if people really need that kinda of fix just import the video and pictures into iTunes or even use the browser. I really don't see a problem here.

More news stories

Yahoo, pay-TV operators among Hulu bidders

Online video site Hulu is again up for sale, with Yahoo and pay TV operators DirecTV and Time Warner Cable among the seven bidders, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Radiation leak at Japan lab; small impact expected

An atomic research lab in northern Japan has reported a radiation leak that may have affected about 50 people, though none were hospitalized and no impact was expected outside the facility, the lab's operator ...