WikiLeaks app yanked from Apple's App Store

[Joanne98]

Source: CNET


Apple has removed a WikiLeaks app from its App Store just a few short days after its release.

Launched on December 17, the $1.99 WikiLeaks App offered access to the whistleblower site and the @wikileaks Twitter stream and was described as providing "'instant access to the world's most documented leakage of top secret memos and other confidential government documents," according to a Google cached version of the site provided by TechCrunch. The app was created by a third-party development firm called Hint Solutions, which lists Igor Barinov as its general manager.

But as of late last night, Barinov has confirmed both in his own Twitter feed and in an e-mail to TechCrunch that Apple has removed the WikiLeaks app from sale without further explanation at this point.

Though no specific reasons were given for the app's ouster, the move isn't surprising given both the controversy over WikiLeaks and Apple's tight control over which apps it feels are suitable for the App Store. We've contacted Apple for further details and will update the story if the company responds.





Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20026271-37.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Move along. Nothing to see here." - Your 'Friends' at Apple

[subsuelo]

2. Fascist corporate control of information is on full display lately

I love how Wikileaks exposes these corporate scumbags for what they really are.

[emulatorloo]

3. You can still read wikileaks on an iphone (or whatever)

If apple doesn't want to sell an app, they don't have to. Just like your local department store. Would they be facists if they didn't sell the brand of underwear you liked?

At any rate, this doesn't stop wikipedia any more than anything else.

Honestly it is the ISP's that we need to watch.

[subsuelo]

4. It's still fascism.

Totalitarian control over what information will be tolerated and what will not be tolerated.

You have every right to defend it, but don't pretend like it isn't fascism.

[Robb]

8. It isn't fascism. There's no control over the information here.

Open the iPhone's web browser and read all the Wikileaks you care to. And don't pay $1.99.

Seems rather the opposite to me.

[subsuelo]

9. Then why block the app? n/t

[Robb]

10. Perhaps they'd rather you not pay $1.99 to access what they offer you for free?

Perhaps the app's author is trying to cash in on the popularity of Wikileaks by selling an app that adds no value.

[jayfish]

12. OMFG!!!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

That's the funniest thing I've read on the tubes in ages. You forgot /s or :sarcasm: right?

[subsuelo]

14. I know right? n/t

[Robb]

16. So, you also consider this "fascism"?

:D

[jayfish]

17. I think it's an indicator of a growing corporatocracy...

with fascistic tendancies. The idea that Apple, or any app developer, would pull a paid app because the info aggregated by said app can be had elsewhere for free via the web is out of this world though.

[Robb]

18. Reasoned stance. However

... it's not "free," so much as "gift with purchase." It could be argued the yanked app is delivering the same content as their included browser, so they're "protecting" their browser.

[jayfish]

20. That test could be applied to any app that...

presents aggregated data. Basically any developer that also publishes a web site could be pulled.

[anamandujano]

36. A pattern appears to be emerging.

That's all.

[subsuelo]

13. Oh please. Is that really your best argument?

Blocking the Wikileaks app was done to save the consumer some money. That's really the best case you can come up with?

[Robb]

15. More absurd than you calling yanking an iPhone app "fascism"?

Please. :D

[emulatorloo]

21. But Apple is Just Like Hitler!

I doubt they pulled the app per your argument. However agreed, the hyperbole is getting kind of foolish around here.

[crikkett]

23. Seems like this app is just like Amazon's bundle for Kindle.

The Wikileaks Cables could be sent to the kindle without the bundle but this is more convenient.

[jayfish]

35. Well, I guess not.

“We removed the WikiLeaks app from the App Store because it violated our developer guidelines,” an Apple spokeswoman told Wired's Threat Level. “Apps must comply with all local laws and may not put an individual or targeted group in harm's way.”

Read more: http://techland.time.com/2010/12/21/apple-explains-why-they-banned-the-wikileaks-app/#ixzz18sL4Bwnw

[jayfish]

5. In capitalist America, machine rages against you. -NT-

[conspirator]

6. Where are the Steve Jobs lovers now? nt

[originalpckelly]

7. We should all e-mail the Steve Jobs address at Apple and see what happens.

Tell him how ashamed Apple should be over this.

[fascisthunter]

24. I will

[onehandle]

11. Apps are almost always pulled for legal or technical reasons. It uses an API.

Many apps with built-in APIs are pulled. Probably an improper implementation.

They approved it to start with, so there is that, and that supports my guess.

[Dreamer Tatum]

19. Oooh. Stress test of pristine Apple vs pristine Wikileaks!!!

IBTL

[emulatorloo]

22. LOL - n/t

[sirthomas66]

25. Apple is dead to me now. Hope companies quit making me

cancel them. Soon I'll be back to bartering.

[Dreamer Tatum]

26. til the iPhone 5, anyway, right? nt

[sirthomas66]

27. Nope. I'm old and have ethics and moral convictions of a different. Once

I write company off, they're history. I just hope LG doesn't do something like this. We all have LG phones.

[Dreamer Tatum]

28. In other words, you want to see if the iPhone 5 has 4G. nt

[sirthomas66]

30. Nah, I don't care about LTE. I don't care about high tech stuff

anymore now that I'm away from it. I don't need to be able to make bacon and eggs on the back of my cell phone, or have it sing Suwanee River in Portuguese. I prefer simple stuff now. To each his own: if you like that stuff, that's cool.

[Dreamer Tatum]

31. I'm just funnin' you. nt

[sirthomas66]

32. Yeah, I thought so... NP. Good handle, you've got there. Later.

[girl gone mad]

33. I switched to an android phone.

I miss my iphone, but oh well. I hate the way Apple pulls certain apps for no good reason while allowing scammy apps, like the ones that steal money from unsuspecting kids, to stay. Jobs' e-mail comments about needing to save his users from porn and the scary parts of the internet didn't help matters. The man is a control freak. I don't think people need to be protected from cartoon breasts and Nine Inch Nails songs.

[blackspade]

29. Apple's scumbaggery is showing again!

[savalez]

34. Yet another reason for me not to buy Apple products.

[rexcat]

37. Makes me glad I don't own anything Apple...

I'll take my PCs and Creative Zin over any Apple product out there.

[Blandocyte]

38. Apple apparently developed the iCoward

too?