Call for content ratings on Apple's App Store

By Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 27 August 2008 04:26

Opinion and Analysis

Apple already tags tracks in the iTunes Store that are unsuitable for children and it sells R rated movies, so why isn't there something similar for content such as books and comics in the App Store?

The call to add age categorisation comes after Apple ruled Belfast-based Infurious Comics' Murderdrome did not comply with the App Store's content guidelines.

Infurious officials described the free comic as "darkly humorous."

The company has "already secured another script and art and will be submitting another comic written and drawn specifically for the iPhone/iPod touch to the App Store in the next few days and has commitments from established creators for exclusive content."

Infurious acts as a publisher, taking a small commission in return for turning artwork into an application. "The creators retain rights and start earning with the very first sale," according to an Infurious spokesperson.

One of the more common complaints voiced by iPhone/iPod touch developers is that there are no published rules associated with the App Store approval process.

While Apple's general stance means it is unlikely to say "if you can check all these boxes, your app will make it to the App Store," a blacklist - "check any of these boxes and your app WON'T qualify" - could be helpful.

Page two: how Apple could integrate app classification with iTunes.