Days after it was revealed that Apple is barring some sexually explicit material from its App Store, the computer giant defended itself from charges that it is being a selective prude. In an interview with The New York Times on Monday, Philip Schiller, Apple’s head of of worldwide product marketing, said it’s all about complaints.
“It came to the point where we were getting customer complaints from women who found the content getting too degrading and objectionable, as well as parents who were upset with what their kids were able to see,” Schiller said.
An app called Wobble iBoobs, which allows users to give certain segments of photos the ability to shake (the name suggests a practical application) was among 5,000 apps removed. Also removed was SlideHer, which allows a scantily clad model to be assembled as a puzzle, and Sexy Scratch-Off, which allows a woman’s dress to be removed via a touchscreen interaction, the Times said. According to another report, a swimwear retailer’s application was also banned.
Meanwhile, many bloggers have noted that content from Playboy and Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition is still available.
“They feel there is a difference between established branded content, that it’s in a different category” from apps developed by smaller companies, said Interpret Vice President Michael Gartenberg.
“As the App Store grows in popularity and is now a mainstream source of content for all members of the family, Apple is wise to select carefully what content it puts on the shelves of the store,” Gartenberg said. “This is a Apple’s store, and therefore I think they do have the right — as well as an obligation — to their customers to be self-selective.”
It’s not the first time Apple has been accused of being selective about applications in the App Store. Earlier this year, some programs…