Apple rejects e-book reader app over Kama Sutra
updated 08:35 pm EDT, Thu May 21, 2009
Apple rejects ebook reader
Apple has rejected yet another iPhone app, Eucalyptus, over offensive content, according to Wired. The e-book reader does not contain the objectionable content, although it allows users to download titles from Project Gutenberg. Apple cites access to the Kama Sutra as the reason for rejection, despite the fact that the text must be manually added by the user.
Apple has received a variety of criticism for its App Store approval policies. Eucalyptus' developer Jamie Montgomerie argues that users could find the Kama Sutra just as easily by searching for the book from within Safari. The Google search results potentially contain material much more offensive than the e-book. Apple initially rejected Tweetie 1.3 over "offensive language" contained in the search results showing the public "Trends" rankings.
“I suspect that no-one at Apple knows how genuinely torturous the App Store approval process is for developers personally after a rejection,” Montgomerie said in an e-mail to Wired. “I think anyone that knows me would confirm that I’m a very level-headed person, but this is the only thing in my adult life I can recall losing sleep over.”
Apple also rejected an app, Me So Holy, that allows people to substitute a photo for the face of Jesus. NIN Access 1.0.3 was rejected for offensive lyrics in a podcast, despite the unedited track's availability from iTunes, although Apple later approved the title.
Many of the affected developers could have a second chance to submit offensive apps when iPhone OS 3.0 arrives. Apple will add parental controls, potentially opening the door for adult-oriented content.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
This tops it all!
I have heard about strange reasons for app rejections, but this one tops it all. By far!
It is the equivalent of Apple saying, "we don't allow you to buy an iPod, because you could load sexually explicit content on it."
???
How strange can it get?