Update – Apple Pulls BeautyMeter App With Nude 15-Year-Old

update: 1:00 p.m. PST – BeautyMeter developer has posted a message on their site indicating they have cleaned up their database of nude images. They have also increased measures to guard against future user-generated nudity. It also sounds like they identified an individual (via the UUID) and will be taking “further steps” (click image for full view).

Yesterday’s BeautyMeter article resulted in quite the firestorm. Media outlets such as Fox News, Wired, Gizmodo, DownloadSqaud and others, carried the “Nude 15-Year-Old Pictures” story … as well as social media activity from Digg, Twitter and more.

Today at approximately 12:20 a.m. PST (24 hours after we broke the story), Apple removed BeautyMeter from the App Store … however previous downloads are still fully functional – including access to the infamous 15-year-old nude image seen below (image taken at time of writing, at 12:30 a.m. PST).

It seems yesterday was not the first time BeautyMeter had its “issues”. The app launched January 17 and the developers, Braun Software, began approving user generated nude images for public viewing. Then in mid-April, the devs changed their policy, no more nudity. Of course this caused a huge backlash among the rabid middle-aged perverts as they voiced their displeasure via the App Store User Ratings.

One month later, the perverted old guys (and comment #113’s wife – see above) rejoiced … BeautyMeter boobs were back!

We’re not exactly sure why Braun Software banned the once acceptable nudity from their app in mid-April … perhaps it was in preparation of submitting Version 1.6 update for approval (kind of like cleaning up shop before the inspector pays a visit), which was accepted by Apple on April 27. Strange behavior by Braun Software.

So the question remains … does Apple allow nudity in the App Store???

If the answer is NO nudity, then why does Apple make available a 17+ rating specifically stating Frequent/Intense Nudity? … why do apps like TOP100 specifically advertise topless models coming soon?

If the answer is YES nudity, then why would apps like Hottest Girls and BeautyMeter (sans the 15-year-old naked girl) be banned?

Obviously Apple needs to make a decision on their nudity policy and stick with it … indecisions and inconsistencies in business are an absolute killer. We think Sir Winston Churchill summarizes the current state of Apple the best with his 1939 “quotation”:

I cannot forecast to you the action of Apple.
It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma

Technorati Tags: BeautyMeter,iPhone Nudity,iPhone,Apple,Braun Software,KRAPPS

July 2, 2009 | Filed Under News, Social

Comments

thomasweber

You people are sick chesters dont ever let me find you mutha F@#$%&@ I will beat youre Asses
Cap31

This is madness. Apple should just remove Safari from the iPhone if they are truely on the almighty cleanup bandwagon. It displays far more porn than one photo on beautymeter. I agree the particular content removal under the circumstances is appropriate. Why not simply disable the internet access on the iPhone. All the apps are just portals to it! Lets face it this is really about competing apps. Apple want you to use their apps.
JJ

oops - nude 15 year old is really 19 years old on Like My Body Site

http://www.com

5 minutes of research!!
zahadum

apple's inconsistent & inchoate policy on a Rating System is making them look more foolish by the day!

apple has no business in superintending what content its customers may or may not create, distribute or exhibit using apple products or services.

the only test that need be applied is the same one that is applied in every other commercial transaction - namely, information: a Rating System lets consumers make reasonable choices.

any other nannying by apple - or bullying by the PC-left/religious-right - is unwarranted interference in the private lives of free citizens.

apple's brand proposition rests in large part upon the notion that information tools should conform to the user's ambitions, not the other way around.

if apple wants to keep going down this Bowlderized road towards complete Disneyification, then they will leave behind alot of their most loyal customers whose energy & passion -to be original & independent- were so vital to sustaining the company in its darkest days.

... and -btw- apple does _GET IT_ when it comes to holding official farewells for relics from their halcyon days: remember the mock funereal at MWNY (or wwdc) for "Classic" mac/os?

so if apple does really want to sell out, then fine: let Steve Jobs stand up in front of the faithful and make a formal denouncement of its past - like some bizzaro-world reverse-Nikita Kruschev denouncing Stalin in 1956.
Ramses

Hello

I'm french, and i can downlaod this app. Itunes say "Not aviable"

Can you help me ?

Many thank's
Locruid

Why are they going after the JUST the apps? The underage girls are the ones taking the pics and uploading it! Someone steals my car, they go after the thief. Sooo, HELLO, go after the ones taking pics of themselves and nail em to the freakin wall already. STOP blaming the app or the viewers already. This is getting ridiculous.
Ron

Unless you have proof that the majority of the pervs are "middle age" then stop saying it. Normally I like your "expose's" but you accusations are baseless. Grow up just a bit. Lastly, it seems like nearly every one of your articles focuses on sex apps these days. It's getting a bit boring. Maybe YOU are the pervs?!
TNgirlinWA

If they do allow nudity (and if female nudity is allowed, I'd best be seeing a Playgirl app, too!), that's fine. But for the love of all that is holy, don't show freaking UNDERAGE nudity! There needs to be a damned "To Catch A Predator" app to go alongside that crap. Just...ewwww!