Hey Pal, You Can't Say That in Here!

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10144025-37.html?tag=mncol;title' target='_blank'>http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-1...tag=mncol;title</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"An e-book submitted to Apple's App Store has been approved after the author removed language that apparently offended Apple. CNET's David Carnoy wrote a book called Knife Music last year, and attempted to submit it to the App Store as an e-book. Apple rejected his application for containing "objectionable content," which appeared to be a couple of uses of that four-letter word that starts with F."</em></p><p><em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1232080554.usr105634.jpg" /></em></p><p>Having never read any of the documents pertaining to submissions to the iTunes App Store, I was a little surprised by this. The author apparently wasn't, said the words didn't materially change the story, and removed them. I understand that it is their store and they can set up the guidelines however they wish, but I wonder why they didn't label it with the explicit tag (like they do for music and&nbsp;podcasts) and let it go at that? &nbsp;</p>

[gojeffrey]

What's wrong with the F word?

Just the other day, I noticed a section in iTunes highlighting "Rising Stars of Alt Rock". One of the featured bands goes by the name "F***ed Up", except without the asterisks. As of this posting, it's still there on the main page of the Alternative Music section.

So lemme see if I follow this logic: it's okay to have this band's name displayed completely uncensored on a main page, but it's not okay for an e-book that someone would have to purposely download and read to see the F word?

I'm confused. :confused:

[doogald]

As a parent, I can control access to explicit media material in the iTunes Store. As far as I know, I do not have the same ability in the App Store for my son's Touch.

Frankly, it's not a big deal with me, but I can understand that other parents would want these controls in place before they would want explicit material in apps in the app store.

I think at this point the app store is growing into what it eventually will be. I'd hope that people just be patient rather than get all worked up.

[Jason Dunn]

As a parent, I can control access to explicit media material in the iTunes Store. As far as I know, I do not have the same ability in the App Store for my son's Touch.

Seems reasonable to have that type of control in the app store - I'm a bit surprise Apple hasn't added it yet. Probably a forthcoming feature...

[WyattEarp]

I'm a parent too and even though my kids are not old enough to have an iPhone I find these restrictions rather appalling. Apps, ebooks, games, etc need to be in an "explicit materials" section be itself instead of Apple trying to play moral police. Then a parental control could be added to the iPhone to restrict such content. A much better solution IMO.

Parental guidance is for parents to enforce not companies who can't even conduct themselves in a morally correct fashion much less give it's own customers basic functions in a device. Carnoy should have just put it in a real ebook sellers hands like Fictionwise or eReader.

[ucfgrad93]

Hopefully, the ability to tag apps as explicit will come in time. Like others have said, if they sell the music that way, why not apps?

[Vincent Ferrari]

The idea that I can download all variations of gangsta crap or some insanely profane movie and can't grab an ebook with an f-bomb really bothers me. Why not just employ the "explicit" tag for ebooks the way they did with music?

I know. Too simple. :rolleyes:

(Now that I read the thread, it would seem ucfgrad93 and I are in agreement).

[doogald]

I hate to quote myself, but

I think at this point the app store is growing into what it eventually will be. I'd hope that people just be patient rather than get all worked up.