It’s interesting that the Baby Shaker app could make it past App Store censors, yet the group Nine Inch Nails couldn’t get an updated version of their iPhone app into the App Store.
Yes, this is just another example of how screwed-up the App Store approval process is. The problem is that familiar (to readers) clause of the iPhone SDK, section 3.3.12 which states:

“Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple’s reasonable judgment may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users.”

In this case, the objectionable content is the song “The Downward Spiral.” Strangely (or perhaps, not strangely; it’s the inconsistent way the App Store process works), the song isn’t even even in the app, but is in a podcast that can be streamed to the app.

On the NiN website, Nine Inch Nails’ frontman Trent Reznor gives Apple a piece of his mind, and points out some pretty valid issues that touch upon the vague, rather opaque App Store approval process.

Now, “The Downward Spiral” the album is not available anywhere in the iPhone app. The song “The Downward Spiral” I believe is in a podcast that can be streamed to the app.

Thanks Apple for the clear description of the problem – as in, what do you want us to change to get past your stupid fucking standards?

And while we’re at it, I’ll voice the same issue I had with Wal-Mart years ago, which is a matter of consistency and hypocrisy. 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. 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?

You can buy The Downward F*cking Spiral on iTunes, but you can’t allow an iPhone app that may have a song with a bad word somewhere in it. Geez, what if someone in the forum in our app says F*CK or C*NT? I suppose that also falls into indecent material. Hey Apple, I just got some SPAM about fu*cking hot asian teens THROUGH YOUR MAIL PROGRAM. I just saw two guys having explicit anal sex right there in Safari! On my iPhone!

Come on Apple, think your policies through and for f*ck’s sake get your app approval scenario together.

Applause, applause. Lately when some sort of App Store FUBAR has been brought up, Apple has been quick to back down. But even if it does so in this matter, the underlying problem will remain: the draconian App Store approval process, which hasn’t been outlined to the satisfaction of anyone.

Oh, and here’s the kicker: the first version of the app (this was an update, after all) contained the same “objectionable content.”

Watch a walkthrough of the new app, to see just how objectionable it isn’t: