Apple boots third-party Reddit apps for violating pornography rules

By Saqib Shah Published April 12, 2016

Earlier this week, Reddit belatedly launched its first official app for iOS and Android, to the pleasure of the site’s millions of users. In the wake of the launch, however, it appears that several third-party Reddit client apps are now mysteriously being removed from the Apple App Store.

A number of threads devoted to the phenomenon have been created on Reddit by disgruntled users, pointing out that the likes of Alien Blue, Antenna, Eggplant, and Baconreader are nowhere to be found. Consequently, when you search for a client such as Eggplant on the App Store, you are provided with a result for the official Reddit iOS app instead.

Recommended Videos

Although this raises suspicions as to Reddit’s involvement in the mass takedown, it appears that Apple is in fact to blame. In one of the Reddit threads, Stephen Ceresia, the developer of the Eggplant client (which was also removed), states that Apple notified him of the removal of the app. “Woke up and was pretty shocked to see my app removed for this reason (“having a NSFW toggle”),” he writes. “Apple followed up and said if I remove the NSFW toggle in my app I can resubmit it.”

It seems that Apple is targeting these clients over their violation of clause 18:2 of the App Store Review Guidelines regarding pornography, which reads: “Apps that contain user-generated content that is frequently pornographic (e.g. “Chat Roulette” Apps) will be rejected.”

Pointing out the hypocrisy in Apple’s approach, Reddit users claim that even the official Reddit app for iOS contains pornographic material. Others claim that a client for the similar link-sharing service, 4Chan, is still operating on the App Store, which also reportedly breaks the same guideline.

The good news for those who have already purchased or downloaded the unofficial Reddit apps in question is that they are still operating. Additionally, even if you happen to have deleted them, you can re-download them from your purchased apps list in the App Store.

This is a developing story, and we will keep you updated as to the latest details as they come in.

Former Contributor

Saqib Shah is a Twitter addict and film fan with an obsessive interest in pop culture trends. In his spare time he can be…

Topics

Phones

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is an unabashedly bougie reader, but gosh, I can’t put it down

I am NOT telling you to spend $1,900 on it for reading books. And yet, here I am, surpassing my reading goals at an addictively quick pace.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

On an ordinary day, if you ask me what's the best e-reader device out there, my answer would most probably be one of Amazon's Kindle readers. I will most likely ask about your budget and your preferences before doling out a few recommendations.

If you tell me that the Kindle is too restrictive, I would point you in the direction of a Boox slate, which comes in multiple sizes across a wide price bracket. In case you are inclined towards a phone-like reader device, the Boox Palma 2 or the DuRoBo Krono would be my suggested picks. And if you're chasing something light, tiny, and open, the XTEINK X4 would be my go-to choice.

Phones

Three reasons I’m still hesitant to order the iPhone Duo

Apple’s first foldable had me reaching for my credit card, but a few days of thinking changed my mind.

iPhone Duo on table unfolded

Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo at its “Surprise and Shine” event, and my jaw dropped. To be fair, I had a pretty good idea about the phone’s hardware, but the software polish and little nice touches Apple added everywhere made me instantly pull out my credit card.

From the opening animation to the almost creaseless nano-texture display to the under-display camera to the IP68 water and dust resistance, Apple has certainly delivered with its first try at a foldable phone.

Phones

The best iPhone 18 Pro carrier and retailer deals can save you serious money

Some iPhone 18 Pro deals can cover almost the entire cost of Apple’s new flagship

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max on gradient background

Pre-orders for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now open. Apple’s latest Pro phones start at $1,199 and $1,299, respectively, but several launch offers can cut hundreds of dollars from those prices.

The biggest discounts come from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, where savings can reach $1,200. Apple, Walmart, Xfinity, Total Wireless, and Visible also have deals worth considering. Both phones go on sale September 18.