Dear Apple: Why Do You Hate Porn?

Over 40 million Americans visit porn sites. Men aged 18 to 24 account for roughly 70 of this audience. One out of three is female. And the fascinating thing is that Sunday is considered primetime for pornography. But you don’t care, Apple, and that is a problem.

So let me ask you a question, Apple: why does it matter to you? If people want to indulge themselves in porn, who are we to tell them not to? These people are not bad: they give into temptation. They are the very people who you sell your products to, who just so happen to give into temptation as well.

So, when Hugh Hefner, of all people, announces that Playboy is coming to the iPad in full, uncensored form, I would think that you would see things in a new light. You can write a new chapter in the history of your company. And why not now? Playboy is, after all, one of the most well-known names in the pornography business. It will be okay!

But you ruined it! You denied the Hef from bringing his Playboy bunnies along for the ride to the App Store. You turned this whole situation into an anti-climactic tragedy, and, furthermore, you did it without any real justification. (Side note: there are more advertisements than nudity in Playboy. Also, people only read it for the stories, right?)

If I wanted, I could walk into a dozen book stores, gas stations, or other places around here and walk out with the latest issue of Playboy, with the bare essentials included. The clerk might give me a weird look, but who cares? I do what I want! But I can’t do this this on an iPad — which has the added benefit eliminating the annoying clerk. Your reasoning doesn’t add up.

I understand that you want to keep the Apple ecosystem pure of outside elements that could compromise Apple’s values. I understand that this would be a controversial step to take. I also understand that porn isn’t exactly the most desired thing that would ever appear in the App Store to consumers (or so I’d hope). But you should take this step; if not for the porn industry, you should do this to resolve the hypocrisy that personifies you lately.

Apple's Hypocrisy

Porn isn’t the first thing that pops into mind when thinking of beauty, simplicity, and elegance. But, Apple, you can’t rely on this argument alone. You already allow questionable material into the Apple store. For example, you have no problem with selling music that features sexual lyrics and situations in them. What makes music special that it receives a pass? I’m sure that kids listen to more music than they watch porn. You also have no problem with allowing Hollywood flicks that are more risqué than what you would find in Playboy magazine — Zack and Meri Make A Porno is just as naughty as it sounds, if not worse. And don’t get me started on the “Sex Positions HD” App I just found; for me, spooning will never be the same.

Another argument you make is that you want to keep the Apple ecosystem a family-safe environment. Well, I think I proved that this isn’t your top priority. You allow applications that promote the firing of guns, killing of people, destruction of things, and the exchange of drugs. Family safe? I don’t think so. But, of all these, you have a problem with nudity? You should know that children are exposed to porn, on average, at age 11;I doubt your restrictions against porn in the App Store is going to change this trend.

But what do you have to worry about, Apple? It isn’t like you would be allowing in every single piece of porn into the marketplace. You have the keys, you have the ability to reject content that overdoes it, and you have the power to remove any content that you don’t like. Just hire more application reviewers; I’m sure the money you’d make from the new sales would justify it.

Furthermore, if you allowed pornographic content on the iPad, you could implement ways to prevent users who shouldn’t have access from viewing the content. You could create a section of the marketplace that requires special privileges/authorization to gain access. The media can’t argue against this.

Make It Right

Either way, Apple, you are not preventing people from accessing porn on the iPad, the iPhone, the iPod Touch or other Apple-related devices or computers. You are only frustrating users who desire this content and annoying developers who want to provide it. Also, your investors might have an argument to be made that you’re passing up a great opportunity to make more money — and lots of it.

(And one other thing: If you intend on giving consumers the opportunity to make purchases with their mobile phones while utilizing this NFC technology you are so excited about, are you going to prevent users from walking into a porn shop and buying something, all in the name of protecting us? I hope not.)

In the end, Apple, we don’t need you to be our guardians. We have our own ethos, ethics, and morality standards. But if you are this hellbent on banning “alcohol, caffeine, contact sports, non-educational toys, meat, spicy and unhealthy food, table salt and tobacco” (go, Demolition Man!) and all other things bad for the human race, then at least be consistent about it, or you will continue to upset consumers and developers, just as an application developer pointed out to me as I was writing this piece.

Porn isn’t that bad, Apple. I only wish you would realize it.