May 4, 2009 14:11

Apple rejects Nine Inch Nails iPhone app

'Objectionable content' cited as violation of terms

Apple has rejected an update of the Nine Inch Nails iPhone update, saying that it contains “objectionable content”.

Frontman Trent Reznor posted the news on Twitter over the weekend saying: "Apple rejects the NIN iPhone update because it contains objectionable content. The objectionable content referenced is 'The Downward Spiral'."

Reznor then took to his band’s website to reveal the email sent by Apple, detailing the content that the company deems unsuitable for the app.

According to Apple, the app is in violation of Section 3.3.12 from the iPhone SDK Agreement that bans “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."

Reznor openly responded to the email, comparing the situation to one he had with Wal-mart several years ago.

“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 Fucking 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 fuck's sake get your app approval scenario together.”

Nine Inch Nails are currently gearing up for a co-headlining tour of North American with Jane’s Addiction, kicking off May 8 in West Palm Beach, FL.

--By our New York staff.
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