Skip to main content

Mac > News

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 Apple rejects Electronic Frontier Foundation app over YouTube f-word parody

Apple objects to subtitles in "Downfall" Hitler parody

Nick Spence

  • Email to a friend
  • Print this article
  • Bookmark this page
  • RSS feed

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has become the latest victim of Apple's iTunes App Store "objectionable" content policy, after a submitted app was rejected over a link to a YouTube parody video.

Founded in 1990, the EFF is a donor-funded nonprofit organisation aimed at defending digital rights covering free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights. The EFF often find themselves defending individuals against big business and US government in the courts.

Question of the day!

Mark Hattersley
Editor in Chief

Do you share your creations online?

Question of the day!

Do you share your creations online?

% of Macworld readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What do you create and how do you share it?

124 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @TabletChat

paintings & illustrations, mostly, which i upload to flickr.RT @fragmentedm

I draw manga/anime characters. I also do graphic design and photography.RT @spialelo

Yes. I usually put them up on my #deviantart account for feedback on how to improve.RT @spialelo

The EFF themed, but unofficial RSS feed, is the work of software developer Duane Fields of Exact Magic. It caught the eye of Apple's App Store approval team who rejected the application. Apple apparently objected to a blog post that linked to a "Downfall" parody video created by EFF Board Chairman Brad Templeton.

The parody casts Hitler in the role of entertainment industry executive, ranting about the failure of digital rights management (DRM) and the continued popularity of fair use. Among the subtitles is the f-word.

The objectionable f-word spotted by Apple.

As the EFF's Corynne McSherry points out in a Deeplinks Blog post anyone with an iPhone or iPod touch can already watch the YouTube video - via a bundled YouTube app or Safari browser - so the ban appears ineffective.

McSherry responds in the EFF post saying: "This is just the latest example of the failings of Apple's iTunes App Store approval process, which has been revealed to be not just anti-competitive, discriminatory, censorial, and arbitrary, but downright absurd."

"Let's be clear: we are not saying that Apple has to carry apps it doesn't like in its App Store. But iPhone owners who don't want Apple playing the role of language police for their software should have the freedom to go elsewhere. This is precisely why EFF has asked the Copyright Office to grant an exemption to the DMCA for jailbreaking iPhones. It's none of Apple's business if I want an app on my phone that lets me read EFF's RSS feed, use Sling Player over 3G, or read the Kama Sutra."

Check out our new Macworld Mobile site.

Follow Macworld UK on twitter: www.twitter.com/macworlduk

Email A Friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:



PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.

<<prev article | back to news index | next article>>

Comments received


James Donevan said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

Notwithstanding the obvious shortcomings of Apple's review process, I'm curious if Corynne advocates viewing whatever she wants on her TV. Does the EFF challenge all censorship or just the issues that will get it ink?

Dragonfly said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

And there's me using Fu*king asterisks on such words to try to protect (us) Macworld reader's sensibilities, and MW come straight out with it in their news item. I'm stupefied ! :-O :-)

Dan said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

Look at the EFF website James they make it pretty clear what they stand for. I'm sure they helped get rid of DRM on MP3s which can only be a good thing.

Apple need to lighten up.

Apple Thought Police said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

You will do as we say, not as you think.

Alix said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

You have to be a freetard to think this video is funny.

James said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

You have to be a pleb to want to block it.

freetard said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

Love the video, brilliant.

Macworld Admin said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

@Dragonfly

We have made a very rare exception because the image in question is in relation to a story, which we feel is part of a larger ongoing story regarding the Apple approval process, and not featuring it would seem odd; and asterixing it out would misrepresent it.

As a general rule we still don't curse in our articles and don't want our comments / forums to become a swear filled slanging match.

No, I'm Freetard said on Wed, 03 Jun 2009

Outstanding

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Macworld. Macworld accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content.
Click here to read the house rules.

Click here for the latest reader comments

Latest News


More news...