5 Controversial Apps Apple Pulled From App Store In 2011While Apple does have a strict review policy when it comes to accepting apps into its iTunes App Store, once in a while a couple of apps manage to sneak in and the alarm bells go off weeks later. As 2011 comes to an end, here is a recap of the top 5 apps that were pulled from the Apple App Store this year, and why.
Smuggle Truck: Operation Immigrant
The basis of the game is simple. You have a truck and you smuggle illegal immigrants over the border with it. The subject matter was the reason why it got banned and it soon returned to the App Store as "Snuggle Truck" whereby you transported stuff animals instead. Nice save.
Exodus International
Labeled as a "gay cure" app, it portrayed homosexuality as a lifestyle choice instead of a valid way of life. It attracted a lot of heat and was eventually pulled from the App Store.
Jew or Not Jew
The “Jew or Not Jew” app got Apple into trouble. It featured over 3,500 word-famous Jewish personalities and even a "Jew Of The Day" function. While appearing to just be a harmless database and biography of famous Jews, Apple was threatened with multiple anti-Semitism lawsuits and had to pull it.
Google Books
Given that the Google Books app had a button "Get Books" which took customers to their online store directly, Apple was obviously losing out on possible commissions. The app had to be modified later so the fruit company could get its cut.
Phone Story
Reminiscent of Nintendo-style games from the 90's, Phone Story let you run a smartphone factory. However some things in it appeared to be direct shots at Apple. For one, the app had factory workers leaping to their deaths, reminding us of the numerous suicides at China's Foxconn factories where the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch are produced.
Did we miss out any other controversial apps that were given the boot from the App Store this year? Do tell us.
