Lawyer sues Apple for failing to halt his porn addiction

  • updated 10:01 pm EDT, Fri July 12, 2013
  •         by MacNN Staff

Typo led to addiction, divorce, hospitalization; wants default 'safe mode'

A Tennessee lawyer is suing Apple essentially because it is possible to use its products to view pornography. Mark "Chris" Sevier claims that the company is negligent by not setting a default "safe mode" that would bar all pornography automatically -- as though such a thing were possible -- and blames Apple for his addiction to pornography that destroyed his marriage, and that Apple "failed to provide him with warnings of the dangers of online pornography." Sevier is seeking relief in the form of an injunction against Apple and forced donation to anti-pornography groups among other demands.

The entire bizarre and error-laden complaint can be viewed below. While saying that he "loves Apple" and believes the company to be legitimately "concerned with the welfare of our Nation's children while furthering pro-American values," the company is nonetheless responsible for his discovery of online pornography and subsequent addiction.

The problem apparently began when Seviers mistyped "Facebook" and landed on a pornographic site. Apple, he says, should have blocked this and warned him of the dangers in viewing adult material (the site itself, like most adult site, carries a warning regarding age and legality already). He claims that Apple should sell products only with Internet filters already incorporated, and that only buyers over 18 could request a password from Apple to unlock Internet access.

The case will certainly be dismissed on a number of grounds, ranging from technical errors in the filing to a lack of a proper attorney. It should be noted that Seviers, believed to be 36 years old, is currently disallowed from practicing law himself in the state by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court, which placed his license on "disability inactive status" due to "mental infirmity or illness" in 2011. Seviers was also arrested last month on a charge of stalking country music performer John Rich.


TAGS
30 Comments
  1. Avatar
    Bittyson Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Sep 21, 2011
    Jul 12, 2013 at 10:24 pm

    Just when you thought lawyers couldn't be any more detestable.

  2. Avatar
    Sebehk Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Jan 08, 2007
    Jul 12, 2013 at 11:06 pm

    Oh GAWD. I hope this gets turned down immediately.

  3. Avatar
    JackWebb Junior Member Joined: Aug 31, 2007
    Jul 12, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    At any other time in history this would be a farce meant for a dystopian novel. It is like suing the maker of a glass for alcoholism.

  4. Avatar
    TomMcIn Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Dec 21, 2001
    Jul 12, 2013 at 11:14 pm

    Well at least he did not file his case in East Texas.

  5. Avatar
    mgpalma Forum Regular Joined: Sep 27, 2000
    Jul 13, 2013 at 12:05 am

    Whoa! Gave me a heart attack, had to check my calendar...glad it's not April 1st.

  6. Avatar
    Paul Huang Mac Enthusiast Joined: Sep 18, 1999
    Jul 13, 2013 at 12:08 am

    He should have sued his mother and father.

  7. Avatar
    iphonerulez Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Nov 28, 2008
    Jul 13, 2013 at 12:21 am

    He must have pulled up the site www.sitonmyfacebook.com by accident.

    I still don't understand why he would just sue Apple. All browsers on all platforms allow access to porn sites. That's what makes the internet the wonderful discovery medium that it is. However, the idea of built-in porn filters for Safari doesn't sound like a very bad idea at all. The only problem is that there are already enough haters that don't like the idea of Apple even allowing porn on apps and on iTunes. They claim that Apple is too controlling and too close-minded.

  8. Avatar
    MacGeekAz Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Jul 13, 2013
    Jul 13, 2013 at 12:41 am

    Unfortunately, this case will fall flat on its face. There is a porn filter in Users & Groups Account settings under the Web tab in Parental Controls.

  9. Avatar
    LenE Junior Member Joined: May 19, 2004
    Jul 13, 2013 at 12:43 am

    If the goofball pictured on the front page is the plaintiff, well he looks happy.

    Any chance this is some bizarre play for a reality show? I mean he's using a click-bait strategy in a lawsuit, and starts off the filing with a plug for his unknown band with a video on YouIdiot.

  10. Avatar
    Paulrm Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Aug 01, 2001
    Jul 13, 2013 at 02:12 am

    It's not an "accident" when you type f*ckbook instead of Facebook. Reading this lawsuit will instantly tell you that this man is mentally deranged.

Post a comment
Please note that it takes a couple of minutes for new comments to be visible in this area.
  

Now AAPL Stock: 112.18 ( -1.77 )

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Developer  92d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

 92d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Industry  92d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Troubleshooting  92d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Upgrades/storage  92d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Investor  93d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE

IPhone apps  93d