August 9, 2009

• Amazon Porn

I like to browse the Subscribe and Save area on Amazon.  It’s great because you get a discount, plus stuff just shows up when you need it (automatic, scheduled delivery of toilet paper?  We live in the future, man).  When I noticed the “Sexual Wellness” link, I naturally clicked it.  I was greeted with this item:

NSFW Amazon link.

I laughed it off.  Then, my app having just been rejected from the App Store, I wondered if the same item was viewable in the (rated 4+) Amazon iPhone app.

Yep.

NSFW Amazon iPhone app screenshot.

So Amazon can show off free boobs with no age restriction, but a dictionary can’t include swear words?  This isn’t unfiltered, user-generated content, mind you, but an Amazon.com product page.

For the record, I love Amazon and I love boobs; I don’t want to see anything bad happen to either.  The solution isn’t to remove the Amazon app or the offending item.  The solution is to come up with a better rating system.  Stuff like this needs to be brought to Apple’s attention if we have any hope of an improved App Store.