Chicago (IL) – An outraged Trent Reznor has criticized Apple for rejecting a Nine Inch Nails (NIN) application due to “objectionable” content.
“We’ve reviewed nin: access and determined that we cannot post this version of your iPhone application to the App Store at this time because it contains objectionable content which is in violation of Section 3.3.12 from the iPhone SDK Agreement,” read a letter from the iPhone Developer Program.
According to Apple, potential applications must not contain any “obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind” that may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users.
“Thanks Apple for the clear description of the problem – as in, what do you want us to change to get past your stupid f****** standards?” Reznor wrote in an official forum post. “You can buy The Downward Spiral on iTunes, but you can’t allow an iPhone app that may have a song with a bad word somewhere in it. Come on Apple, think your policies through and for f***’s sake get your app approval scenario together.”
Reznor also castigated Wal-Mart for demanding “clean” versions of all music carried by the chain.
“Wal-Mart went on a rampage years ago insisting all music they carry be censored of all profanity and ‘clean’ versions be made for them to carry. Bands (including Nirvana) tripped over themselves editing out words, changing album art, etc to meet Wal-Mart’s standards of decency – because Wal-Mart sells a lot of records. NIN refused, and you’ll notice a pretty empty NIN section at any Wal-Mart,” explained Reznor.
“My reasoning was this: I can understand if you want the moral posturing of not having any ‘indecent’ material for sale – but you could literally turn around 180 degrees from where the NIN record would be and purchase the film ‘Scarface’ completely uncensored, or buy a copy of Grand Theft Auto where you can be rewarded for beating up prostitutes. How does that make sense?”
