IKamasutra: Apple Hates Brunettes

There are many people in the world who use technology, but are offended by even the slightest sexual material. They might not have reasons for it that you and I would agree with, but that's beside the point. The point is that they can get very loud and insistent and they might go on TV saying that "Apple distributes smut" and whatnot. Apple wants to avoid that kind of hassle. There are different ways to do that, but the easiest for Apple is to simply reject any content they think might cause them this kind of trouble.

Kama Sutra - not ok.

Killing people app[1] - ok.

???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8gAdb2N7Po

Especially if the producer is willing to change the product to fit your requirements.

Some time ago almost everyone agreed that Nokia failed also due to a lack of developers for Simbia, do you really think treating developers with a proven track record like that will do you any good?

I really hope that this issue is solved to the satisfaction of every party involved and the app will be back soon.

Ah, and finally, if this was due to the "sexual content" the only thing left to say is "brave new world". And that from a company that help to battle SOPA...

People have to remember that the App Store has nothing to do with "Freedom of Speech". Every retail outlet decides what products they wish to sell. They all have buyers that decide which products will compliment or negatively impact their reputation.

I do believe Apple owes the makers of IKamasutra an explanation, even if it is short, like: "Company A provided us sufficient information to warrant removal of your software", or "Updates to your software made it too explicit and violates the App Store guidelines". It guess its just too costly to do this or something. This does suck for someone that has had something out there for a long time and now its gone. Perhaps it wasn't another company, and the reviewer just thought "Not another one" and that was it.

I haven't searched, but I wonder how many of these apps are in there? Even the App Store (TM) guidelines mentions Kama Sutra apps:

"Apps that duplicate apps already in the App Store may be rejected, particularly if there are many of them, such as fart, burp, flashlight, and Kama Sutra apps."

The other funny thing is that the next statements also says:

"If your app is rejected, we have a Review Board that you can appeal to. If you run to the press and trash us, it never helps."

So, I suppose you screw yourself by blogging and telling everyone. Biting that hand that feeds isn't always a good thing.

But, there is also this:

'Apps containing pornographic material, defined by Webster's Dictionary as "explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings", will be rejected'

So, perhaps getting closer to actual people and not the original crude wood carvings is an issue. I'm surprised these app ever made it in with that clause. The Kama Sutra fits this.

Appstore is a threat because if you want software on your Apple phone then it is the only legal method.

But with Android you can install software from any app store you like, or directly. Google provide an app store as a service, but it's only one of many.