Apple purges explicit apps from App Store

Tech giant Apple has begun to purge explicit apps from its App Store, with hundreds of developers reportedly told their programs will no longer be available for sale.

It is suggested the company is attempting to clean up the store in preparation for the release of the iPad, which will also take advantage of the store’s suite of apps.

The controversy began last week when developers of sexually explicit apps received notices from Apple, which informed them their programs would no longer be available on the App Store in their current state.

Figures from Appshopper.com, a site used to track the number of apps on the store, reveal over 5,000 applications have so far been deleted by Apple.

It is understood these developers were informed their apps were too “sexually suggestive”. Developer Chillifresh, which had an app removed from the store, said on its website Apple had given developers new guidelines which prohibited apps which imply sexual content, or include:

• images of women in bikinis
• images of men in bikinis
• images of skin
• sexually explicit silhouettes
• sexual connotations or innuendo
• sexually arousing content

However, tech blog TechCrunch has reported some apps have been left alone. The Playboy and Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition apps remain in the store, leaving some developers to question Apple’s reported guidelines.

It is suggested Apple may be leaving brand-name apps in the store and purging no-name explicit apps, which often show no more than a handful of pictures. The company has performed similar purges, including last year when it banned one developer after he spammed the App Store with hundreds of “do-nothing” apps.

Adding to the confusion is the fact Apple has not clarified these rules publically. Instead, it has offered a statement to the Wall Street Journal in which it said it would purge inappropriate apps.

“If we find these apps contain inappropriate material, we remove them and request the developer make any necessary changes in order to be distributed by Apple,” Apple said.