Adult iPhone App Gets Apple Nod, Then Taken Down

CYBERSPACE — Wallpaper Universe didn’t make it very long as an iPhone application. The software, which allows users to post photos of nude women as wallpaper, didn’t make it past the weekend after making its debut.

Apple Inc. may have been purposely trying to test the market for such content, Harvey Kaplan, executive vice president of wireless development at BustBox Media Inc., told XBIZ.

“Somebody who was in the approval department thought the content was passable,” Kaplan said. “This looks like a corporate decision. Someone blew the whistle on this and that is why it got pulled down.”

A write-up posted on website ReadWriteWeb.com makes an argument that Apple’s review process may be flawed. The approval and then quick removal of Wallpaper Universe exposes a “giant gaping hole” in Apple's review process.

The article raises the question of whether Apple “intends to keep users safe from illegal and malicious applications, those that are bandwidth hogs, and those that raise privacy concerns.”

Above all, however, Apple apparently is hesitant about adult content on its sought-after smartphone.

“Apple won’t reveal what goes on behind the scenes with their approval process, a process that often takes weeks or months,” according to the article. “But this incident almost makes you wonder if there is one blurry-eyed guy sitting at a keyboard, clicking ‘approve, approve, reject’ all day as hundreds of applications arrive for approval.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Washington AV Bill Jumps on 'Health Warning' Bandwagon

A new age verification bill in the Washington state legislature would require adult sites to post notices warning users of alleged health risks, despite a previous federal court ruling against such requirements.

BranditScan Launches '25 Days of Christmas' Promo

BranditScan has launched its 25 Days of Christmas promotion.

MelRose Michaels Named Host of Online Industry Edition of XBIZ Honors

Performer and entrepreneur MelRose Michaels will MC the online edition of the 2026 XBIZ Honors, set for Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood.

Irish Regulator: EU States to Ramp Up AV Enforcement for Smaller Sites

A representative of Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán told legislators that Ireland and other EU states are preparing to expand enforcement of age verification regulations to include smaller adult sites, British newspaper The Times is reporting.

Sansyl Group Acquires Blue Donkey Media

Sansyl Group, parent company of AdultPrime Network, has acquired Blue Donkey Media B.V., owner of Dutch adult site Meiden van Holland, among several other erotic websites and television channels.

Pineapple Support to Hold Mental Health Summit

The annual Pineapple Support Mental Health Summit is taking place Dec. 15-17.

Ofcom Fines AVS Group $1.3 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday imposed a penalty of one million pounds, or approximately $1.3 million, on AVS Group Ltd. after an investigation concluded that the company had failed to implement robust age checks on 18 adult websites.

Updated: Aylo to Help Test EU Age Verification App

Pornhub parent company Aylo plans to participate in the European Commission’s pilot program for its “white label” age verification app, a spokesperson for the company has confirmed.

Missouri Lawmaker Attempts to Revive 'Health Warnings' for Adult Sites

A Missouri state representative has introduced a bill that would require adult sites to post notices warning users of alleged physical, mental, and social harms associated with pornography, despite a previous federal court ruling against such requirements.

New Age Verification Service 'BorderAge' Launches

French startup company Needemand has officially launched its subscription-based age verification solution, BorderAge.

Show More