Satire is an honorable tradition in politics and public life, from comedians and imitators to venerable magazines across both sides of the pond, it has been a pressure release system for public life for a very long time - but satire isn’t something we’d see a great deal of if the world was run by the App Store approval team, who this week rejected really rather brilliant-looking Bobble Rep app.
Bobble Rep looks great - it combines splendid charicatures of all 540 members of the House of Congree alongside information about them - which areas they represent, their contact details and helped iPhone owners find the details of the representative who works for them using a zipcode or GPS. A handy tool to help iPhone users get involved in US politics.
Artist, Tom Richmond, drew thes amusing caricatures for the app, which superimposed the faces on one of six bodies, and let you shake your phone to make the politicians bob their heads, but that’s just for fun.
“The real purpose of the app is the database that allows you to find out who your representatives in Washington are and how to contact them,” the artist explains.
So here we have a useful app that helps boost political engagement among US citizens and has a little satirical/caricature-based giggle at the politicians who claim to represent the American people. It looks so nice and offered such a useful purpose, the developers even had some talk show time booked.
The App was submitted to the Byzantine denizens of the App approval department, and instantly attracted a sense of humour overload. 
Seems the bods who work there think the app “contains content that ridicules public figures and is in violation of Section 3.3.14 from the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement.”
“Wow. I’ve had rejections in theme parks before but never because my drawings were considered “obscene, pornographic, or defamatory”. I can see where they are coming from, though. Check out these hard hitting caricatures,” the artist says.
We say, if Apple really has designs to revolutionise publishing by boosting its place within the eBook market, it has a need to accept that the rich tradition of satirical publishing should be encouraged.
‘Nuff said.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Comments
The AppStore Team is
The AppStore Team is obviously full of facists who rather approve Mein Kampf than any satirical content.
Dictator Steves' platform gets more and more a huge joke.
Departing to Android in 3,2,1...
I hate to say it, but perhaps
I hate to say it, but perhaps the FCC should start to investigate Apple for limiting free speech? Now that there's content ratings for apps, I think that's all that's really necessary to allow stuff like this to go through. If parents want to restrict stuff like this, that's fine -- but by no means should Apple be. Much as I don't support, say... the KKK... I'd also protect their (and their protester's) right to to speak freely. Don't like something? Don't endorse it. Apple should revise their terms of service for the App Store to say "The views and opinions expressed by third parties applications located within the App Store do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this company" in big bold letters on the first line. Beyond that, they should really stop restricting the app for content sake, and start restricting apps for problem-sake (like pulling TweetDeck the other day due to stability problems.)
Free speech
The 1st Amendment doesn't apply to corporations, it protects citizens from the government. Corporations can censor you as much as they want.
don't give me that "Corporate censorship" BS
This is a corporation that has made a habit lately of courting publishers and news organizations to use them for their electronic distribution.
1st amendment absolutely applies. And don't give me that "oh, we are not going to do this when we distribute others content" bullshit. Prove to me that you are adept enough to handle these kinds of subtleties first - don't assure me that everything will be fine in the future.
I have always loved Apple - but this worries me. Sounds like someone's stupid at the switch to me.
I don't buy the "Corporation" defense here.... because:
This is a corporation that has made a habit lately of courting publishers and news organizations to use them for their electronic distribution.
1st amendment absolutely applies. And don't give me that "oh, we are not going to do this when we distribute others content" bullshit. Prove to me that you are adept enough to handle these kinds of subtleties first - don't assure me that everything will be fine in the future.
I have always loved Apple - but this worries me. Sounds like someone's stupid at the switch to me.
Thanks for the support...
... and I hope people realize the "check out these hard hitting caricatures" was distinctly tongue-in-cheek. That's the whole point... these caricatures are absolutely not "hard hitting" or insulting but merely fun cartoon likenesses.
Caricatures
This is dumb. People pay to have drawings like these done at theme parks. They are no where near insulting. This was a useful app that could have helped people get in contact with the jokers that they employ. This is also a perfect time in our nation for people to be in better contact with their representatives. What a shame.... Poor form Apple.... and usually you keep me so happy....
If its ok for other apps...why not apple
I think the real reason they rejected this app is because they have one made by themselves that would directly compete with theres. How can they sell apps that are similar but not as fun?
Post new comment