An app that informs users of deadly drone strikes by US forces has been rejected for the App Store for the third time in a row, resurfacing old debates about censorship of apps.
Wired’s Danger Room blog reports on an app called Drones+ which pulls information from an online database of drone strike reports and pushes them to users. It doesn’t show bloody pictures of battles, but rather just a pin on a map, basic facts, and a report on who the media thinks is the target.
The app has been turned down by Apple for the App Store a total of three times now: the first because it was deemed “not useful”, the second for a corporate logo, and now due to “objectionable and crude” content.
These strikes are very much actually occurring, and this app is presenting them in a bare-bones, simple way, devoid of gore or salacious details. So does that mean very concept of these strikes occurring is offensive enough to prevent an app making it to the store? Then what about news apps that report on these events? Or is it the opposite, that since this is such a simple aggregator app that it’s too simple to make it to the App Store?
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I am a firm believer in the Freedom of Speech, but I do not agree with people that disrupt funerals for fallen service men and women, and I do not agree with this App. I do feel the opinion that the App does not provide a useful function. Want to know all about the Drone strikes then you need to view News360 or filter a twitter feed on Flipboard. Don’t think I agree with the use of Drones for blatant assassinations either, but Apple is correct that this App fulfills no real purpose. It’s not the content it is denying just the App.