Apple rejects app on drone attacks


by Newswire    
3:33 pm - August 31st 2012

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An application built for iPhone that alerted users to news of drone attacks by the US government has been rejected by Apple.

‘Drones+’ was built by NYU student Josh Begley to notifying users whenever a drone attacked somewhere in the world.

But Apple said in a statement: “We found that your app contains content that many audiences would find objectionable.”

The application was built using information collated by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

The application was simply a news feed summarising each entry from TBIJ’s database and maps of drone strikes.

It did not reveal any confidential information or gave advance warning of strikes.

Josh Begley said about Apple’s response: “I think their position is often just they don’t want to let anything through that could be seen by anyone at any particular table that could be seen as controversial.”

The 27-yr-old told the Guardian: “I built it because it is something I would like to use myself”.

Figures from TBIJ show drones attacked Pakistan 75 times in 2011, causing up to 655 deaths.

TBIJ say he is now thinking about creating an app for Android phones instead.

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The image on top is a mock-up not an actual screenshot, by TBIJ

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Reader comments


1. Chris

Sick of American dominance. Bring back the USSR.

2. James B

For the country of open markets and free speech, they seem quite OK with monopolies like Apple dictating what the ‘owners’ of their products can do with it (not that we are any better of course). Shouldn’t some competition be introduced to the sale of apps to Apple products? Isn’t it time for users of Apple products to be freed from red tape and regulation? Isn’t this an ‘outdated’ way of doing things?

Oh, I see, we only use these arguments when its in public ownership. Carry on then…


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Keven Bartle

    An iTunes app alerting people of drone attacks by the US has been blocked from Apple’s app store http://t.co/OMqF5T5i

  2. Luke Rae

    An iTunes app alerting people of drone attacks by the US has been blocked from Apple’s app store http://t.co/OMqF5T5i

  3. leftlinks

    Liberal Conspiracy – Apple rejects app on drone attacks http://t.co/OkL6oXly

  4. Sam Wakeling

    An iTunes app alerting people of drone attacks by the US has been blocked from Apple’s app store http://t.co/OMqF5T5i

  5. Saffi Ahmad

    An iTunes app alerting people of drone attacks by the US has been blocked from Apple’s app store http://t.co/OMqF5T5i

  6. David Gillon

    Has @Apple app store now progressed to political censorship? App reporting US drone attacks rejected as 'offensive' http://t.co/98qMXlW5

  7. Aysha

    An iTunes app alerting people of drone attacks by the US has been blocked from Apple’s app store http://t.co/OMqF5T5i

  8. Ruth Smith

    Objectionable content? Don't do it then, US.>RT @libcon Apple rejects app on drone attacks http://t.co/Tr0a3oLc

  9. Natalie J. Lewendon

    Apple rejects app on drone attacks | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/FyILEg2K via @libcon

  10. Hustling Rapporteur

    Apple rejects app on drone attacks – http://t.co/Ys1OIq2s – from @Taptu

  11. TheCreativeCrip

    Has @Apple app store now progressed to political censorship? App reporting US drone attacks rejected as 'offensive' http://t.co/98qMXlW5





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