Backstage
Why, Apple, Why? POTUSA’s App With Obscenities OK, South Park App Not OK
Is it Apple’s screening team? A lack of attention to whatever standards the App Store has this week for approving or denying apps? Or something else?
Earlier this week, it emerged that Apple had denied App Store access to a long-brewing, officially developed South Park application, citing “potentially offensive” content, presumably some of the show’s streaming video clips. Back in December, Apple did the same with a book application, noting that some of the language inside was graphic.
Today, a music streaming application by The Presidents of the United States of America appeared in the App Store, presumably after someone at Apple listened to the music and gave it the OK. But how could they? All it took to find “potentially offensive” content inside was a click on the second Song List, which contains—actually, randomly started with, in our case—the song “Kitty,” verses of which contain profanity. Some users might well have an issue with another track Boll Weevil, a track from Froggystyle that ends by damning god. To seriously religious folks, that’s a no-no—definitely offensive. And as Charles Starrett notes, what about Pandora, a fantastic app that streams “potentially offensive” content from various artists all the time?
To be very clear: we have no problem with this band or its music. We’re not offended by the lyrics. But we also have no problem with South Park. We just don’t know why a music app with “potentially offensive” content gets greenlighted and a South Park video app doesn’t. Is it selective enforcement, South Park’s ratio of “potentially offensive” to “non-offensive” content, or something else?
Any thoughts, readers?
Comments
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1
The real hypocrisy here is that the iTunes Store sells episodes from all twelve seasons of South Park, with the most recent two seasons being advertised as uncensored....
Posted by Jesse Hollington in Toronto on February 20, 2009 at 4:31 PM (PDT)
2
The reason I’m guessing this website will censor #### and not censor poop despite both words meaning the exact same thing.
And if this site doesn’t most would.
Posted by nosedive51 on February 20, 2009 at 4:34 PM (PDT)
3
Jailbreak and then you can get the south park app through cydia… It is awesome and includes a family guy app. Why play by apple’s rules when we can play by our own.
Posted by EGD on February 21, 2009 at 7:50 AM (PDT)
4
While I believe the South Park app belongs in the App Store (and I’d get it if it was in the App Store), I think part of the difference is how blatantly offensive the language and content is in South Park. We aren’t just talking about profanity in lyrics. South Park flaunts offensiveness, and it’s a key feature of the show, often using one offensive element as the driving force behind entire episodes. That’s not the same thing as a few obscenities in a song.
While I don’t agree with Apple’s decision to reject the South Park app, it wouldn’t surprise me if this was the distinguishing characteristic that gave it the axe.
Posted by jasonact on February 21, 2009 at 1:04 PM (PDT)
5
All, if SP app is a graphic application, they won’t just be talking about offensive stuff, they’ll be SHOWING offensive stuff.
Doesn’t anyone remember Mr Hanky, the Christmas Poo?
That’s what they’re probably limiting. Although it still seems like the logical extension of fart applications, to me. In particular, gotta get me that POTUSA app. Love those guys!
Hey, does it have “Death Star”? Lost my CD, that song rocks!
Posted by Mr Z on February 21, 2009 at 10:07 PM (PDT)
6
I’ve *heard* you can jailbreak and then install jb apps to watch both Family Guy and South Park.
jus’ sayin.
Posted by OnlyShawn on February 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM (PDT)