Michael Braun's Blog

In the latest mass excision of apps from Apple’s app store, some 5000 apps with sexual content were removed. For the most part, it seems like these apps delivered up soft core images including pin-up style pictures. Other apps were more crude. Escaping the cuts were apps from Sports Illustrated and Playboy. So, why did Apple cut some sexy apps but leave others intact? Apple isn’t offering explanation, but here’s some speculation. Apple cut those apps because they didn’t trust the developers to deliver only appropriate content.

For example, an app that displays pictures featuring partial nudity requires the app creator to have a supply of appropriate photos. That means that each photo should be licensed properly, rather than taken from the internet or uploaded from an angry ex-. Each photo should show a person who is age 18 or above. But there are only so many app makers who also make their own content. Sports Illustrated and Playboy are providers who do. Less reputable sources are not nearly as trustworthy.

Imagine what would happen if one of these app developers let through an image of a 16 year old that was uploaded after it was texted to a friend. Every person who downloaded that application is now subject to child pornography investigation. Each iPhone with the app on it can be seized as evidence of a crime. And who knows what kind of penalties Apple faces? Removing apps en masse is a bold step to take, but this kind of problem is one that Apple executives are likely to view as absolute disaster.