When it comes to iPhone apps, Apple has received bad press aplenty for its policy of strictly regulating the application market. From competitive browsers to “offensive” apps like a South Park app, the iPhone App Store may have millions of apps, but is still relatively closed.
However, Apple is in the unusual situation this time around for being in hot water for an app it approved. Apple approved an interesting title — Baby Shaker — on the App Store Monday. This video game, authored by Sikalosoft, looked to channel the inner English au pair in some people, making shaking a baby (as the name implies) into a videogame.
The game consisted of multiple levels. Each level had a drawing of a baby, which crying loudly. You would shake the phone until the baby stopped crying and red X’s appeared over its eyes (apparently signifying the baby’s death). The app was available from Monday to Wednesday night for $0.99.
Child advocacy groups pitched a fit, demanding Apple remove the app and stating unequivocally that killing babies was unacceptable. Apple caved in, ruling that there is no longer a place in the world for Baby Shaker. However, many are noting the curiousness that the company, which is usually so strict with offensive content (like the South Park app) would approve the app in the first place.
As some are pointing out, Apple’s iTunes store sells some music which could be designed as highly offensive, with lyrics featuring sexually explicit content, violence, racism, homophobic remarks, strong language, and stories of criminal behavior.
However, as in the past, while other mediums like music and art may deal in the same themes, video games receive the most controversy. From Wii Beer Pong to the Columbine video game, video game developers’ creative licenses have often led to confrontations with the moral opinions of many in society.
You can view a video of Baby Shaker here, and decide for yourself whether it should have be banned.