Tumblr iOS App Follows Vine and 500px Into 17+ Rating Territory

Buttons like this just make kids want to press it.

The Tumblr iOS app updated about three hours ago, stating “small bug fixes” as what’s new in the app. This move comes shortly after 500px app was pulled from the app store, only to return with a 17+ rating, and Twitter-owned Vine got some flack as well.

What’s not listed in the App description is that version 3.2.4 of the Tumblr app is now rated for people 17+, and users will need to click through a dialog that says they are old enough to use the app. Because that totally works.

In a world where social photo apps are coming under scrutiny for allowing access to nude photos to anyone regardless of age, Tumblr apparently took the safe route and re-rated their app for adults, saying, “You must be at least 17 years old to download this app.” and citing “Frequent/Intense Sexual Content or Nudity.”

Since any web browser has the same capability as an iPhone or iPad app, it seems as if the app buying community needs a bit more of a reminder that where there are photos shared, there will be naked pictures amongst them. Isn’t that a rule, somewhere?

Honestly, if we can’t just assume there are naked pictures in apps where pictures are taken and shared, what can we assume? And is pressing a “yes, I’m older than 17’ button really the answer?

• Source App Store
• Via The Verge

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