Apple Defends Sexually Explicit App Ban

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple’s marketing boss defends the company’s decision to pull racey iPhone apps from its App store.

In the last few days, Apple has caused an uproar among independent app developers by removing thousands of sexy apps, citing its new policy blocking sexual content.

“"It came to the point where we were getting customer complaints from women who found the content getting too degrading and objectionable, as well as parents who were upset with what their kids were able to see," Phil Schiller, Apple’s head of worldwide marketing told the NY Times.

One app that was removed is called Wobble iBoobs which allows users to jiggle women’s breasts.

Some developers have been told that overtly sexual content, skin, sexual connotations, women in bikinis and anything sexually arousing is now forbidden.

However, other apps from Playboy and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition which feature barely naked women in bikinis are still available for download.

When asked about the Swimsuit Edition app, Phil said, “"The difference is this is a well-known company with previously published material available broadly in a well-accepted format."

This sentiment is a hard pill to swallow for independent app developers who say their apps were approved, then got kicked off the App store without warning.

They also say Apple needs to provide more specific guidelines on what it considers to be suitable content for iPhone applications.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 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

BranditScan Rolls Out 2 New Platform Features

BranditScan has introduced its new Traffic Optimization and Doxing Protection features for creators.

NMG Management Partners With Cosplayground to Scale Distribution

NMG Management has partnered with Cosplayground to expand the studio’s digital distribution and licensing operations.

Dreamcam Rolls Out 'Voice Translator AI'

Dreamcam has introduced a Voice Translator AI to its livestreaming platform.

UK Government May Limit 'Step' Porn Ban With New Amendments

The U.K. Ministry of Justice on Friday revealed new government amendments to the pending Crime and Policing Bill, potentially limiting a pending ban on “step” content to apply only if adult performers role-play as minors.

Arizona Senate Removes 'Catch-22' Provision From Consent Bill

The Arizona State Senate has amended a bill that would impose new requirements for adult content uploaded online, removing a seemingly contradictory provision that could have effectively made it impossible for adult sites to operate in the state.

Climaxx Media Launches Networking Platform

Climaxx Media has officially launched its new networking platform.

Italian Court in Aylo Case Limits International Reach of AV Rules

An Italian administrative court has ruled that Italy’s recently-enacted age verification rules for adult content may not currently be enforced against sites based in other EU member states, pending further procedural action under the EU’s Directive on Electronic Commerce.

OCC, FDIC Prohibit Use of 'Reputation Risk' by Regulators

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on Tuesday issued a final rule codifying the elimination of ‘reputation risk’ as a criterion in their supervision of financial institutions.

Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Age Verification Bill

Gov. Tony Evers on Friday vetoed AB 105, an age verification bill that would have allowed anyone to sue adult content providers for damages over alleged failure to age-verify users in Wisconsin, with penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

FSC Releases Statement on Wisconsin Governor Vetoing AV Bill

The Free Speech Coalition has released a statement on Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers' veto of the state's age verification legislation.

Show More