Even though Apple decided to remove any overtly sexual content from the App Store, more than a few boobs continue to sneak by the hypocritical Apple censor. 

For several months now Apple has struggled with it's role as censor, judge, jury and executioner in the gatekeeper role for the App Store.  However, last month after months of being accused of having willy-nilly policies, Apple took the surprising move of removing all the applications with "sexy" content. Many of these “sexy” applications have been on the App Store for many months - but Apple decided to change course.

Apple spokesperson Phil Schiller said "“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."  This seems like something that Apple could have and should have anticipated.  With some advance planning they could have implemented some type of parental controls.

This rapid removal created a temporary boon for a few developers. One app publisher that had a ‘boob’ application called Tubes! earned nearly $10,000 in the week following Apple’s sex ban. The app went from sales of $30 USD a day to over $1500 a day.  It was not an especially unique application, but because it was one of the few "sexy" applications left.  The app was not available in the US, which may explain why it escaped the Apple censor.  But, eventually Tubes! was yanked along with many other applications.

However, in addition to a temporary windfall for a few developers, Apple has continued to allow "mainstream sexy" applications.  Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit app and apps from Playboy have remained on the App Store.  Once again it was up to Apple spokesperson Phil Schiller who said "the difference is this is a well-known company with previously published material available broadly in a well-accepted format."  So, just when you thought Apple was starting to get serious about their role as censor of a universe of applications, they let money talk and hypocrisy rule.  And, to further their mixed message, you can still download R-rated movies and songs with explicit lyrics from iTunes. 

So application boobs are out; but boobs from major companies are okay.  Showing boobs in applications is out, but showing them in movies is fine.  And, while you can't see boobs, you can hear somebody singing about them.  This leaves us with the obvious question, how many boobs does it take to come up with a policy this unfair?