NIN’s Reznor on effing eff bomb rant over effing App Store rejection
What happens when Apple’s software censors run afoul of a foul mouthed musician? Well, the naughty and potty obsessed gatekeepers get a tongue lashing from a 44-year-old with potty mouth and very loud megaphone.
By now most if not all of us have heard or read the news that Apple’s iPhone App Store censors rejected the Nine Inch Nails iPhone app—check out band frontman Trent Reznor and friend give a video walkthrough (YouTube)—over “objectionable content.”
Reznor has responded to Apple’s quixotic rejection by making a few good points, but delivering them in a way that quixotically blunts their impact.
iPhone Developer Program: The objectionable content referenced in this email is The Downward Spiral [iTunes]. Since the app is live on the App store, please make the necessary changes to the application as soon as possible, and resubmit your binary to iTunes Connect. Thank you
Reznor: Thanks Apple for the clear description of the problem—as in, what do you want us to change to get past your stupid ****ing standards? … Come on Apple, think your policies through and for ****’s sake get your app approval scenario together.
I’m pretty sure Apple has bitten off more than it will be able to chew by setting itself up as both the technical and moral gatekeeper for the App Store. The company faces a daily barrage of criticism for letting crap through (ie Baby Shaker) and refusing to let crap through (Nine Inch Nails).
In today’s world, when almost every manner of filth is simultaneously considered protected free speech and (often rightly) offensive to someone—both points of view backed by well-funded lawyers—Apple should either step back and go hands off or institute a ratings system. It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the current system isn’t tenable and will only earn them grief…
What’s your take?
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May 6th, 2009
I think the baby shaker one is hilarious, but also, I think the downward spiral one would be cool. Apple should set standards tho.