Apple App Store cleans up its act, leaves “sexy” developers to die

Apple is putting its foot down when it comes to “overtly sexual content.” Wait, so what does that actually mean? Well, according to developer Jon Atherton, developer of the Wobble iPhone app, it means a lot more than it seems.

Wobble is an iPhone app that allows you to put “Wobble zones” on a picture. When you shake the phone, the parts of the picture with said zones… well… they wobble. Mr. Atherton received the following letter from Apple about his app recently:

Dear Glentwood pty ltd,

The App Store continues to evolve, and as such, we are constantly refining our guidelines. Your application, Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored), contains content that we had originally believed to be suitable for distribution. However, we have recently received numerous complaints from our customers about this type of content, and have changed our guidelines appropriately.

We have decided to remove any overtly sexual content from the App Store, which includes your application.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter. If you believe you can make the necessary changes so that Wobble iBoobs (Premium Uncensored) complies with our recent changes, we encourage you to do so and resubmit for review.

Sincerely,
iPhone App Review

Looks like Apple has no problem with removing a host of apps from its store and leaving their developers for dead. Mr. Atherton looked further into the matter, and after speaking with an Apple employee, he posted the following list on his blog:

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 …)

Well, damn. That certainly covers a lot of ground there. Isn’t this what those iPhone parental controls are all about, though? Huh. You will never cease to confuse me, Apple. Never.

Source: TechCrunch and MobileCrunch