When there are complaints about censorship in the App Store, it’s usually developers arguing that Apple shouldn’t have removed a particular app for infringing on its often-vague user guidelines.
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban had something else in mind, however, when he sent a series of tweets claiming that Apple should boot Twitter off the App Store — until the social networking company finds a way of better removing “objectionable” material from its service.
1) So how come Apple hasn’t removed twitter from their app store for violating the UGC & Personal Attack terms ? pic.twitter.com/dXClFu0cmC
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) December 10, 2015
Cuban didn’t state exactly what he was taking issue with on Twitter, although there has been plenty in the news lately about terrorist groups such as ISIS using the tool to recruit members, along with the still-continuing “harassment” claims described in books like Jon Ronson’s So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed?
Cuban’s initial tweet featured a photo he had taken of Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines, highlighting the section on “Personal Attacks” and “Violence.”
These politics involve the suggestion that: “Apps that display user generated content must include a method for filtering objectionable material, a mechanism for users to flag offensive content, and the ability to block abusive users from the service.”
The entrepreneur also got into a debate with several Twitter users taking issue with his assertion.
Personally, I think the issue of censorship on Twitter is a thorny issue. Use of the network to spread terroristic messages should definitely be curtailed, but the idea of making it into a safe space by blocking dissenting opinions on issues could also set a dangerous precedent.
While I understand the logic of trying to force Twitter’s hand by threatening (or trying to help bring about) an Apple-led ban on the Twitter app, I don’t want to see any possible censorship taking place at a speeded-up rate just to get the app back in the App Store.
Do you agree with Mark Cuban here? Leave your comments below.
Via: CNN Money
