Apple creates 'explicit' category for App Store software
Though it is not yet in use, Apple has added a category for developers to label their applications as "explicit" software in the App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch [Update: now removed].
Update: Apple has now removed the explicit tag from the developer Web site. An Apple representative reportedly told one developer that the company is considering an option in the future, but "it's not going to happen anytime soon."
A developer revealed to Cult of Mac that the new category is available for selection on the iTunesConnect Web site. However, applications with the "explicit" distinction have not yet appeared in the App Store.
The change could signal that Apple is preparing to launch an adults-only section of the App Store that would segregate potentially offensive content from the remainder of applications.
The move follows Apple's removal of more than 5,000 applications the company said were "overtly sexual." The change in policy came after the company received numerous complaints from users who were concerned children would be able to access inappropriate content from the App Store on their iPhone or iPod touch. Whether those applications removed in the last week would be allowed in to the App Store under the new "explicit" category is unknown.
Apple is also preparing to launch its iPad device, a new form factor the company will pitch as a multimedia accessory that can serve as an e-reader of novels and textbooks. The new hardware will also have access to the App Store and its library of more than 140,000 applications. Its potential adoption in the education market could have played a part in Apple's decision to remove sexual content.
Though Apple purged a number of applications (including some mistakenly), other adult oriented content remained on the App Store, including applications from Playboy and
Update: Apple has now removed the explicit tag from the developer Web site. An Apple representative reportedly told one developer that the company is considering an option in the future, but "it's not going to happen anytime soon."
A developer revealed to Cult of Mac that the new category is available for selection on the iTunesConnect Web site. However, applications with the "explicit" distinction have not yet appeared in the App Store.
The change could signal that Apple is preparing to launch an adults-only section of the App Store that would segregate potentially offensive content from the remainder of applications.
The move follows Apple's removal of more than 5,000 applications the company said were "overtly sexual." The change in policy came after the company received numerous complaints from users who were concerned children would be able to access inappropriate content from the App Store on their iPhone or iPod touch. Whether those applications removed in the last week would be allowed in to the App Store under the new "explicit" category is unknown.
Apple is also preparing to launch its iPad device, a new form factor the company will pitch as a multimedia accessory that can serve as an e-reader of novels and textbooks. The new hardware will also have access to the App Store and its library of more than 140,000 applications. Its potential adoption in the education market could have played a part in Apple's decision to remove sexual content.
Though Apple purged a number of applications (including some mistakenly), other adult oriented content remained on the App Store, including applications from Playboy and
Comments
Bring back the apps, fully flesh out the Parental Controls, then we can put this behind us and move on
Well, that was quick. I'm glad that Apple listens (sometimes
Bring back the apps, fully flesh out the Parental Controls, then we can put this behind us and move on
Exactly.
Guess everyone that was 'explaining' to us that Apple doesn't want to be associated with adult themed apps were sort of grasping at straws.
Well, that was quick. I'm glad that Apple listens (sometimes
Bring back the apps, fully flesh out the Parental Controls, then we can put this behind us and move on
I think you are assuming a lot here. I don't see this necessarily as evidence of them "listening."
For starters, none of the apps that were banned could by any stretch of the imagination be referred to as "explicit" in the sense that this word is usually reserved for the extreme end of the scale in terms of adult entertainment. The apps that were banned were from the opposite end of that scale. The apps that were banned had no nudity for instance. Many had no content that you couldn't see in any fashion magazine any day of the week. Some were tamer than a Disney movie.
Those apps were most likely banned just because some executive at Apple "didn't like them" and didn't care about fairness or making any kind of sense with the admission policy. This is a bad thing that they did and putting in an explicit category (if they are in fact doing that), doesn't change that fact.
I can't see them adding a simple app that shows swimsuit pictures into an "explicit" category. That's just laughable.
Unfortunately this bloats iTunes yet even more. It needs its own website.
Will the "explicit" section make way for hard core?
1. Playboy is still available
2. iTunes content is not being censored
3. Devices used in the education market would use the SCHOOLS' iTunes accounts, and it's not likely they will give out the passwords.
4. Children cannot legally enter into a contract with iTunes (at least in the US), nor can they obtain credit cards, therefore it may not actually be legal for children to download anything at all from iTunes, Apps or content.
Guess everyone that was 'explaining' to us that Apple doesn't want to be associated with adult themed apps were sort of grasping at straws.
Not at all- censorship doesn't need to be explained. When something is removed that's called censorship- plain and simple.
Sorry, I don't buy the "for the children" BS behind this move because:
1. Playboy is still available
2. iTunes content is not being censored
3. Devices used in the education market would use the SCHOOLS' iTunes accounts, and it's not likely they will give out the passwords.
4. Children cannot legally enter into a contract with iTunes (at least in the US), nor can they obtain credit cards, therefore it may not actually be legal for children to download anything at all from iTunes, Apps or content.
okay, so what's your point?
okay, so what's your point?
I think it was in the first line.
And by the way, I think everyone should be required to take an IQ test prior to actually posting a comment, that way I can...
1: filter out the comments from morons
2: filter out the apps that are commented on mostly by morons
Of course the morons could use the filters to make sure they only see apps focused on porn and flatulence; and completely skip any apps focused on astronomy or literature or philosophy or...
See, finally, everyone is happy.
Gordon
Will they be reinstated in the regular categories, or will PG content be lumped into "explicit"?
And will truly explicit content be allowed? If so, Apple might become the world's biggest distributor of pornography.
What a road Apple chose when they decided to become the sole source of iCompatible software!
Not at all- censorship doesn't need to be explained. When something is removed that's called censorship- plain and simple.
When a government suppresses information to keep their citizens in the dark, that's censorship.
When a company wants to remove skank, filth, and crap from their product, it's called bowing down to consumer demand.
But of course, when Tekstud inflates his ego, spews nonsense and "attempts" to pass it off as gospel, well he must right.
Well, that was quick. I'm glad that Apple listens (sometimes
Bring back the apps, fully flesh out the Parental Controls, then we can put this behind us and move on
This is what I suspected would happen when they first pulled the apps. I would assume that it was always part of the plan, but didn't tell developers because they didn't want to be held to a timetable. Apple likes to be secretive, and sometimes it hurts them in the PR department.
When a government suppresses information to keep their citizens in the dark, that's censorship.
When a company wants to remove skank, filth, and crap from their product, it's called bowing down to consumer demand.
Change that second line to read "when a company wants to remove skank, filth, and crap from their product, it's called bowing down to the demands of a prudish, inteolerant vocal minority."
I sincerely doubt that majority of the consumers of Apple App Store products give a rat's behind about whether or not there are swimsuit apps, boob wobblers or anything else along the lines of the "5,000 apps banned" by Apple recently.
Let's remember that there was already a ban on outright pornographic and adult-only material, so nothing recently banned was all that offensive to the average Joe/Jane.
Personally, I find all the religious oriented apps extremely offensive, but I don't think they should be banned. I think fart apps are ridiculous, as are boob jiggling apps, but if there's a market for them, so be it. As long as Apple wants to lock down where you can get apps from, they have to be much more tolerant about what apps are allowed, in my opinion.
Sort of like checking the "felony" box on your job application?