Above: Mark Fiore’s “Learn to Speak Teabag” cartoon, which Apple considers too objectionable for the App Store.
Thanks to a stink in the press, Apple has called Pultizer Prize-winning cartoonist Mark Fiore and asked him to resubmit his rejected app, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Apple initially rejected Fiore’s political satire app because it ridiculed public figures, which is against the App Store rules.
“… a representative from Apple called the cartoonist Thursday and suggested that he resubmit the app, Mr. Fiore said in an interview. “I feel kind of guilty,” he said. “I’m getting preferential treatment because I got the Pulitzer.”
Oddly, Apple forwarded Fiore screenshots of material it considered objectionable, including a cartoon about the White House gate crashers, another featuring Obama and torture and cartoons with titles like “Learn to Speak Tea Bag” (watch it above) and “Terrorist Lockup II.”
That seems like a lot of onjectional material, and pretty much par for the course for Fiore’s cartoons. It’s unclear how Fiore will respond — whether he will tone down the material or whether Apple will approve it anyway.
Foire told the WSJ he doesn’t bear a grudge because he’s a big fan of Apple:
“I’m a sucker for Apple, and I do like what they’ve done. I’ve always felt like they would be the type to support political cartooning,” he said. “For me it’s more just a surprise.” He also said he’s likely to resubmit the app and would like to expand what he offers on the medium, possibly to things such as politically themed games.
