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Apple creating "explicit" category for App Store

by Steven Sande Feb 24th 2010 at 11:45AM

After all of the kerfuffle earlier this week about Apple shutting down racy apps in the App Store, it appears that the company might be creating a special place for all of that suggestive and sexy content.

We received a tip and a screenshot (seen above) from a developer who pointed out the new "Explicit" category in the tool used to submit apps into the store.

While TUAW has not yet been able to confirm this, The new category could be the first sign that Apple may provide enhanced parental controls or even a separate "adult" App Store. This would not only maintain the revenue stream from these apps for both Apple and the developers, but would stifle comments that Apple is being too strict with providers of adult content.

We will update this story as it develops.

Update: The new category is corroborated by Cult of Mac and MacRumors as well.

Update #2: Cult of Mac reports the category appears to have gone missing, although we've heard that when it was available earlier choosing the category wouldn't stick -- so perhaps we're seeing some iPhone OS 4 action here?

Update #3: We have independently confirmed that the Explicit category isn't showing up in iTunes Connect any more, as has The Register.

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After all of the kerfuffle earlier this week about Apple shutting down racy apps in the App Store, it appears that the company might be...
 

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nrmetson

My app bedometer seemed to get released in the nick of time I think. Although it initially got rejected for use of the word 'thrusts' believe it or not.

It was stamped with the NC-17 rating which I don't really understand - all it does is measure calories burned during sex. Doesn't use any explicit language at all or any imagery that would be considered rude or offensive.

February 25 2010 at 5:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kira

As long as they force ALL of the t&a apps into the explicit category, and quit allowing them in any other category.

Otherwise we'll just be back where we started, with all that crap cluttering up every other category in the store.

February 24 2010 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Kira's comment
Sinecure Industries

You mean pasties apps AREN'T productivity boosters?

February 24 2010 at 3:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kindakrazy

There ALREADY is a parental control feature. Apple is claiming that it's OK for kids to be able to view complete nudity by watching PG and M-rated movies, but it's completely inappropriate for them to see view still images of women clad in bikini's in Apps rated NC-17, for complete graphic nudity. I guess bikini-clad women need to be rated Explicit, then Apple will reverse the default setting so you have to enable viewing "explicit" rated apps.

And of course, kids will be the first to flip the switch...

February 24 2010 at 1:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ep2002

Sounds good tome. With kids, it will be nice for a parental control feature.

February 24 2010 at 12:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AppleZilla

This is exactly what they should do... Actually I would go a step further and place functionality directly in your account to make 'explicit' apps disappear.

February 24 2010 at 12:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jbrown510

This is interesting. Didn't they already have parental controls AND that 17+ warning for apps with unregulated content (book readers, internet wiki's)?

I wonder how this will play out? Will it be a huge impediment to those in the catagory, like X & NC-17 ratings on film, or will it be a thriving new marketplace like porn on the Internet?

February 24 2010 at 12:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to jbrown510's comment
jbrown510

Just to add. I'm suspecting explicit apps will never be allowed to show up in any of the iTune's store Featured/Top lists, wondering if/when Apple will chime in with details.

February 24 2010 at 12:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
paperless

I wonder why it took them so long.

February 24 2010 at 12:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to paperless's comment
Adrian vG

Shoot the dog!

February 24 2010 at 12:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joeybeast

I would push porn apps on the Android if I was google.

February 24 2010 at 12:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to joeybeast's comment
mikehild

That could backfire on them horribly. Imagine all the parents going out of their way to get non-Android phones for their kids.

February 24 2010 at 9:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
madgunde

Nah, Apple is just trying to automate the rejection process. Any submission to the Explicit category gets redirected to /dev/null.

February 24 2010 at 12:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to madgunde's comment
Sinecure Industries

Hah, that would be funny

February 24 2010 at 3:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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