Apple to let naughty words flow on Tweetie 1.3

Apple has apparently had a change of heart about a Twitter iPhone app that sometimes presents users with language some might find objectionable.

The popular Twitter app for iPhone and iPod touch--called Tweetie 1.3--was apparently rejected because it gives users access to the Twitter Trends section, which displays the most frequent topics or words on Twitter at any given moment. This section sometimes lists swear words--including a particular four-letter word that begins with the letter F--that apparently raised Apple's disdain.

Naughty words aside, the iPhone Tweetie app wins Apple's approval in an apparent reversal.

(Credit: twitpic)

In an e-mail earlier Tuesday, app developer Loren Brichter said Apple quoted this part of the company's guidelines as a reason for the decision:

Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive, or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple's reasonable judgement may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod Touch users.

However, Apple relented Tuesday, according Brichter.

"Great news! 1.3 has now been approved! Alright Apple!," Brichter tweeted late this afternoon.

It's not the first time Apple has washed an app maker's mouth with a bar of soap. In February, the company rejected--for a second time--an application designed to let iPhone owners watch clips featuring the exploits of Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny on the often-irreverent TV show "South Park."

In the past, the company has also banned a book from the App Store for using dirty language, yet approved a fast-growing category of fart-related applications, leaving many to wonder exactly what sort of standards are used to evaluate iPhone applications.

However, even before the reversal, Tweetie's developer seemed to be willing to give Apple the benefit of the doubt.

"This could have been just a goof on Apple's part," Brichter told my colleague Dong Ngo earlier Tuesday. "The App Store is still very young, they're working out the kinks."

[gstah]

I'm glad they had a change or heart. Seems ironic since you can go into iTunes and type in f**k and get a few "un censored" hits. Most song names are "sanitized", but not everything. Seems hypocritical that they made a stink about Tweetie. While I love the app store, it sure does have a lot of room for improvement. I feel bad for developers trying to get on as a new dev, and even established ones since there still does not seem to be any clear rules or reasoning that clears up doubt about what is allowable and what is not. It's a crap shoot. This kind of thing, and the well publicized delays for re registration have gone on far too long and Apple really needs to put the kind of attention and resources toward it to stay in front.

[sciontcya]

[CNET editors note: Prohibited content deleted.]
@#$% **&T$ !!!

:)

[vekleft]

apple is becoming the "big brother" they once criticized.
they won't allow south park on the iphone?
i should trash mine when the at&t service contract is over.
what happened to them?

[mikeburek]

Hmm, you've got a point there. Yes they have a good product, but sometimes it seems like they want people to think and act within a set of boundaries. Which is exactly what their 1984 commercial was supposed to be against. They didn't remove Big Brother, they just replaced it with a prettier one.

[mike234x]

It's insane that Apple even attempts to do this. It's not like the application uses any offensive words, it simply displays offensive words that are on the web. Do I have to worry that Safari is going to start blocking web pages that Apple deems offensive?

I have an iPod Touch, but this is the last Apple product I'm buying (not just because of this); I think Apple is out of control, and their products, while pretty, are overpriced and underperforming.

[Beluga-aquamarine]

Surely you wish to dispose of your iPod in disgust?

Let us know if your selling it.

[Shaun822]

iTunes sells all kinds of explicit content music and audio books, what gives with the twitter app?

[GreatSK]

Another interesting app which was denied, see vid on the bottom to get the point, as the page is dutch http://webwereld.nl/nieuws/56116/apple-weigert--even-apeldoorn-bellen--iphone-app.html

[Dalkorian]

The "curse word" is no longer there from my understanding, so the app isn't an issue anymore. They're called "curse words" for a reason, Apple has been counting the curse words on the internet and realized we're dangerously close to invoking the curse ...

;-)

[rkinne01]

I still find it amusing that Apple will sell R rated movies, gangsta rap, and x-rated pod casts but won't allow an App that MIGHT contain some "bad" words.

[mikeburek]

Maybe that's the real reason there isn't MMS on the iPhone - so you can't send/receive naughty pictures easily. Because you can't get those things through email or the web.

[mikeburek]

I guess the EU (or UK) was right about suing Apple for their false advertising of delivering you the "full" internet.

[rollaire2]

Wow man, Tweet just keeps on getting better.

RT
www.privacy.at.tc

[Harrison912]

I'm basically on Twitter to socially market my safety and security web site and raise awareness for it's products so you won't find me using any bad language whether it's allowed or not.