Should Apple Allow Native Adult Content Via The App Store on The iPhone?

[Swagger]

Greetings Forum Members,
My Question today is should Apple allow native Adult Content on the iPhone?

Although I do no use or purchase porn. I do respect others right to engage in the activities they like as long as all involved are willing participants. I also would like to add that I also feel one's choices should not infringe upon others. We live in a democracy everyone should be able to choose for themselves what they like and don't like.

I really didn't see a lot of bad press about this on or off line. So I wonder what prompted Apple to pull the app (Hottest Girls)? Is Apple's screening process becoming lax due to overwhelming app submissions? Or does Apple walk on the wild side sometime to test public opinion? Seeing that it's Apple we may never know the answer to that question.

With all of that said what are your thoughts? You can read more about this subject in Chris's article, Apple's iPhone App Store Now Allows Nudity (http://www.everythingicafe.com/news/app-store/apple%27s-iphone-app-store-now-allows-nudity-200906251398/)

BTW: I also respect Apple's right to choose how they should guard their company's image.

[kb1gra]

Well, here's my take: I don't think it should be allowed. There are a lot of legal issues surrounding "adult" models (including age, etc), but beyond that...I think accessing that kind of content on a mobile device, which is often used in public settings, is in poor taste. There should be limits on what we can access 24/7. If you want to look at porn, that's fine. But it's something that should be done in the privacy of one's own home, in which case I'd assume that the iphone wouldn't be the device of choice.

Having an app like "hottest girls" is kind of a bizarre novelty anyway. I just think this sort of thing exceeds what the app store was meant to be.

[JWiPhone]

I do feel Apple has a right to protect their App Store from being overrun with porn. On the Internet I can see just how aggressive porn distributors are. They seem to force it on anyone without consent. Of course their real motives isn't sex but making money and as much of it as possible. Those who don't wish to see this should not have to. Having said that though I have no moral objections to porn whatsoever, not that I have ever viewed any or collected any on my hard drive, and if I did so it was only to advance science and medical research..*cough cough*

[acosmichippo]

they're not gonna let porn into the app store. I wouldn't care if they did, but they won't.

but what they DO need to do is add some kind of rating system for non-porn apps instead of just vetoing any app with (for example) "bad" language. ESPECIALLY if they want to be a serious online book seller to compete with amazon.

[connie]

I would care if they did, too many kids have iphone/ipod touch. I don't care how much safety features.

[Swagger]

Well, here's my take: I don't think it should be allowed. There are a lot of legal issues surrounding "adult" models (including age, etc), but beyond that...I think accessing that kind of content on a mobile device, which is often used in public settings, is in poor taste. There should be limits on what we can access 24/7. If you want to look at porn, that's fine. But it's something that should be done in the privacy of one's own home, in which case I'd assume that the iphone wouldn't be the device of choice.

Having an app like "hottest girls" is kind of a bizarre novelty anyway. I just think this sort of thing exceeds what the app store was meant to be.

I sometimes wonder is this to much 24/7 availability to "Everything" not just porn.We are bombarded with the latest info 24/7 do we really need to be that up to date? Mark

[kakofonix]

Maybe Apple just wants to take the moral high road here. They did boast at WWDC that the iPhone, by unbelievable margins, is the mobile device most used on the Internet. Your guess is as good as mine what sites people view the most on the Internet on their Internet-enabled mobile devices. That is not something Apple will readily take credit for, especially because that is purely a personal choice and one that Apple has no control over. What it can control, however, is what gets sold thru its online store and the public perception that goes with it. Apple would probably make a ton of money opening the floodgate for apps with adult content, but it also has an image to protect; and image is everything.

[Hondamaker]

Well, here's my take: I don't think it should be allowed. There are a lot of legal issues surrounding "adult" models (including age, etc), but beyond that...I think accessing that kind of content on a mobile device, which is often used in public settings, is in poor taste. There should be limits on what we can access 24/7. If you want to look at porn, that's fine. But it's something that should be done in the privacy of one's own home, in which case I'd assume that the iphone wouldn't be the device of choice.

Having an app like "hottest girls" is kind of a bizarre novelty anyway. I just think this sort of thing exceeds what the app store was meant to be.You can access any kind of porn imaginable from your iPhone, in public or private, whether it's an app or a website, so what's the big deal? It's gonna happen anyway. BUT, if you're crude enough to access and view it while in a public place where anyone can catch a glimpse, shame on you!

[psylichon]

Apple would have a much easier job to do, more time on their hands, and even more money in their pockets if they got out of the business of "moralizing" the Appstore. Strengthen the disclaimer wording or procedures and be done with all the second-guessing with regards to guidelines. It's only going to get worse from here...

[iphonewarrior]

You can access any kind of porn imaginable from your iPhone, in public or private, whether it's an app or a website, so what's the big deal? It's gonna happen anyway. BUT, if you're crude enough to access and view it while in a public place where anyone can catch a glimpse, shame on you!


Couldn't have said it better myself. I personally don't see the point at all in this thread, the phone itself is a gateway to pornographic material anyway.. there are sites that stream video straight to iphone itself so there really isn't any control over the what you can and can't do unless the younger generations parents take action and restrict there childrens phones- Mmmm... like thats going to happen.

This isn't even just the appstore it's iTunes as well; i was looking to buy an audiobook just to see if there anygood, there's eroctic stories on there that are that graphic enough to raise eyebrows.

Anyone can disagree with whats happening, but there isn't really that much you can do.

This was going to happen, well eventually anyway.

[ZR_Yancy]

That's the first thing "my buddies" wanted to see if it was capable of streaming adult content. Of course, that convinced them to by iPhones as well. Looks like it can be used as a marketing tool.

[styfle]

Well considering 12% of the internet is porn (random source (http://www.switched.com/2007/05/15/exclusive-internet-porn-is-popular/)), the appstore would probably be similar. In the end, I don't think apple will allow straight up porn, but probably nudity if its rated 18+ or whatever.

[Get_Zwole]

You can access any kind of porn imaginable from your iPhone, in public or private, whether it's an app or a website, so what's the big deal? It's gonna happen anyway. BUT, if you're crude enough to access and view it while in a public place where anyone can catch a glimpse, shame on you!
exactly how i see it. If a 12 year old has an iphone and wants to see some pron all they have to do is put in a address, whats the difference.

[jarofclay73]

exactly how i see it. If a 12 year old has an iphone and wants to see some pron all they have to do is put in a address, whats the difference.

Well, if a 12-year-old can search porn for him/herself on the web more power to them.
It's another thing, however, to provide (or enable) young people with the exact locations of these addresses, which is what the App Store would be doing.
I really want to see what Android (Google) will do about this since they're so "open." :laugh2:

[BrownGem]

Porn is easily accessible and doesn't take much imagination to find on the net so why does it need to be in the app store? I also do not take issue with Apple's decision to restrict such content. What device has pornographic content available in an app store anyway? Is this just an Apple thing?

[JSchu22]

I understand engaging in intelligent dialogue around this subject, given the popularity of the App Store and porn of course so please don't take this as a criticism of the thread. I've just grown so frustrated with public reaction to the choices Apple makes these days. What I can't stop shaking my head about is how common the questioning of Apple's decisions in regards to the App Store have become. When did we as the consumer become Apple executives that have a say in what is and isn't available, beyond the decisions we make with our purchases? Present company excluded (you have all made some very intelligent comments so far), there is so much "entitlement" going on all over the internet and it's ridiculous. Many people now take a company's decision so personally that it almost makes you feel like Steve Jobs just ran over their dog.

To comment specifically about the OP's question- Apple can do what they want with their store. Sometimes that has lacked a little transparency but in this case it's pretty clear: no porn. Yes anyone can access this content all over the internet but that's not the point. Apple clearly does not want to be associated with it and should be applauded for not just chasing the cash.

Let me say that I have no problem with porn before my view is dismissed as fanboyism.

[Swagger]

I understand engaging in intelligent dialogue around this subject, given the popularity of the App Store and porn of course so please don't take this as a criticism of the thread. I've just grown so frustrated with public reaction to the choices Apple makes these days. What I can't stop shaking my head about is how common the questioning of Apple's decisions in regards to the App Store have become. When did we as the consumer become Apple executives that have a say in what is and isn't available, beyond the decisions we make with our purchases? Present company excluded (you have all made some very intelligent comments so far), there is so much "entitlement" going on all over the internet and it's ridiculous. Many people now take a company's decision so personally that it almost makes you feel like Steve Jobs just ran over their dog.

To comment specifically about the OP's question- Apple can do what they want with their store. Sometimes that has lacked a little transparency but in this case it's pretty clear: no porn. Yes anyone can access this content all over the internet but that's not the point. Apple clearly does not want to be associated with it and should be applauded for not just chasing the cash.

Let me say that I have no problem with porn before my view is dismissed as fanboyism.

When a company propels itself into iconic status. People watch and comment on every move the company makes. It's all part of super stardom and I'm sure Apple enjoys every bit of it. The more conversation, the more question, the criticism and the praise all build hype. Hype equals profits. Mark

[MrEous]

Apple would never allow full-on porn...perhaps a little more risque stuff in the future but never porn. As said above, it's already available via websites but Apple won't want to be seen as the 'distributor' of porn...which essentially what allowing it in the App store would do.

[Test-Pilot]

I agree. There's plenty of adult material available on web. Go there and get it. No need for Apple to go into the pimping business.

[Maaz]

It should not be allowed

[Europa]

With all the horror in the world, does it really matter?

[acosmichippo]

But europa,

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2420/porndestroyslives.jpg

[ZR_Yancy]

The real question is, are you gonna get rid of your iPhone if Apple decides to allow adult content in the Appstore? Not me.

[iphonewarrior]

I'm not a perv or anything, but has anybody seen that you can download Hottest Girls using installous? I opened the app, nothing loads in it.

You shouldn't discuss piracy in any form on EIC.

Behave yourself before you get banned.

[iNinja]

I dont think Apple will ever allow pornographic material into the app store. Agreed, with apps such as hot girls, it may get a little more risqué in future but I cant ever see Apple allowing a full on porn app.

Kids these days would be able to find a streaming site within about 5 mins if they really wanted to, there isnt really a way to censor the internet, even with parental controls.

I wouldnt really care less if they did or didnt TBH, people are each to their own, and if they wanted to view that type of content in private then so be it. However, if I saw anyone viewing / using it in public where it could easily be seen by minors then I would have serious issues with it!

[Mickeylittle]

We're just human and we all have faults so I get ticked off when on my PC checking a ball score and right above or to the side of my score is some hot lonely chick wanting my attention. I then have a choice to make. If she wasn't there then there would be no issue!
As far as the app store, searching for an app would pull up more moral choices for me to make! What's the point? Well I'm married and when we are out shopping or whatever and I notice a honey and give her a second glance my wife begins to feel inferior! That's reality! To me she needs to know that she is who I want physically!
My 2 cents for App store is don't add temptation to my (others) life cause we are human.

[JWiPhone]

I don't think porn should be forced on people like the pop porn ads we get all the time on the Internet. I do think it should be made available for those who wish to view it. I feel the same thing goes with Apple. For those who don't wish to view it they don't have to download and pay for the App.

[godfather820]

Well i beleive that apple is here to deliver us all the application to make the iphone a universal tool. Porno stuff are more personnal, and with all the adult web application dedicated to the iphone (for example: http://www.iphonesexy.net ) i don't know why apple store should be invloved in this subject (porn)
In fact, more generally, all the application that connects to the internet are usually "replaceable" with web application. the other applications (database oriented or games) have more their existence legitimated.

[kakofonix]

(for example: http://www.iphonesexy.net )

Ya couldn't have been more subtle with that plug, could ya?

@Chris: You know where to send the bill for that ad!:dft011:wicked_smile

[godfather820]

Don't play the perspicacious guy, it's not just because there is a hot link that it's an ad!

[kakofonix]

You totally missed the joke, bro...

[godfather820]

sorry dude, through a forum i can't see the funny ironic face that would indicates me that it was fun... but i confirm! it was lol
peace

[iphonewarrior]

I can honestly say that I do not think apple will allow pornographic content in there appstore. They do have a couple of apps which push the barries slightly (not naming and names), but there nothing in comparison to whats on the web.

The phone is a gateway to much worser things, besides, what would be the point in purchasing something thats available freely on the internet. You cannot stop this, only hinder the inevitable.

[godfather820]

I can honestly say that I do not think apple will allow pornographic content in there appstore. They do have a couple of apps which push the barries slightly (not naming and names), but there nothing in comparison to whats on the web.

The phone is a gateway to much worser things, besides, what would be the point in purchasing something thats available freely on the internet. You cannot stop this, only hinder the inevitable.

in other words. you agree with me...

[iphonewarrior]

in other words. you agree with me...


I wasn't getting involved with your conversation with kakofonix, if you look at the post times... I started writing it before you posted, I nipped away for about 2minutes (in this time, you posted) to make a cup of tea. Then I came back and wrote a little more and pressed the 'Submit reply' key.