Apple Censors iPhone Dictionary – Ninjawords App
8/06/2009 12:56:00 PM - 0 comments
You all have always known that a dictionary is meant to provide you with the meaning of any valid words and the best dictionary is considered one, which offers its readers with meanings of the most and rarest words. However, what lately happened to Ninjawords App for the iPhone has put a question mark to what actually is expected of a dictionary. Apple Inc. has censored certain words in the Ninjawords dictionary app for iPhones, which it has earmarked ‘objectionable’; and had even refused to sell Ninjawords app unless the developer removed those words from the dictionary.Now, what is unacceptable is Apple’s moral policing attitude, as it goes to the extent of screening ‘words’ in a dictionary that has come to it for approval – even despite the fact that Ninjawords carries a 17+ age rating. It has also further come to light that Apple had already taken two months to finally approve the app for sale. It is heard that Ninjawords had to succumb to a lot of Apple’s pressure for removing some of the swear words ‘objected’ by Apple for inclusion into the iPhone dictionary.
Should Apple decide what’s offensive?
Apple’s concern on curbing porn content and reviewing app, so as to prevent iPhone being a malware target is understandable. However, does that also include screening dictionary and censoring words which ‘Apple thinks’ is unethical?
The debate over Apple’s alleged censorship of certain words in Ninjawords dictionary app is heating up on Apple’s role in playing a moral guardian to users in deciding what is offensive and what is not. There is a general opinion developing that Apple should leave the prerogative of using an app on the iPhone owner and the parents. Many agree that Apple’s job as the security cover for iPhones should be limited to keeping off malicious or illegal software prone applications away from the App Store.
Behind the scenes….
As all of us are grappling with the curious case of Ninjawords app, not many know how stressful it was for the developers of the Ninjawords app to strike a deal with Apple and then being curbed of a dictionary’s literary liberties. A shocking tell-tale by Phil Crosby, a Ninjawords app development team representative from Matchstick Software reveals that the app was simply rejection several times since its first submission for approval in May, 2009 on the grounds of containing ‘swear’ words.
Ninjawords had earlier reiterated that the iPhone dictionary contains words found in standard English dictionaries. They have also clarified that the application has been so developed, that the user has to type the ‘complete word’ or in its entirety to get the require meaning and there will be no ‘suggestive typing feature’ available i.e. the dictionary app will not suggest any words on the typing of a few alphabets. Therefore, any user typing a vulgar or swear word is seeking its meaning under complete knowledge of his actions.
Finally, Ninjawords has managed to get on board the App Store in mid-July after doing away with a lot of censored words and approving the app with a 17+ age rating. You too can now avail Ninjawords dictionary app from the App Store for a basic price of $2. Most people who have used the app has appreciated it, do share with us your experiences with the Ninjawords app if you have used it.
Posted: Seuli.B
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