Apple has removed two apps from the App Store that report deaths caused by drone strikes conducted by the U.S. According to Apple, the apps contain "excessively rude or objectionable content."
One of the apps, called Metadata+, was designed by Josh Begley, an editor for Intercept, as part of a project designed to push openly available data about drone strikes from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. It first appeared on the App Store in 2014, however, it was rejected by Apple a few times before that under the name "Drones+."
Following the removal of Metadata+, Begley's other app, called Ephemeral+, which records drone strikes, was also removed.
The removal of the apps highlights the fact that Apple is struggling to find a balance between an app store that is safe for everyone and one that is overly sanitized. The apps themselves didn't show images of the deaths caused, but rather simply told of the deaths through text, so it's difficult to imagine why they would be considered crude, especially because of the fact they're designed to report true information.
There are, of course, other sources for this kind of information, however, removing apps like this limit the extent to which the iPhone and iPad can be used for things like journalism.
It seems as though Apple has intentionally left its app guidelines vague so that it can edit its App Store app by app.
"We will reject Apps for any content or behavior that we believe is over the line. What line, you ask? Well, as a Supreme Court Justice once said, 'I'll know it when I see it.' And we think that you will also know it when you cross it," says Apple.
Apple does have an appeals process for apps that are removed, however, it is not known if Begley himself will use this to try and change Apple's mind.
Via: Cnet
