In a clear break of Apple’s strict no-porn policy, Cinemax’s app Max Go has been approved by the App Store. Among other channels, the app includes softcore porn programming, Max After Dark. The app clearly informs users that it includes “frequent/intense sexual content or nudity.” Additionally, only 17+ users will be allowed to download it from the App Store and parental controls are available in the app. In other words, its not hiding anything from Apple.

Apple’s app approval process has long been known to be arbitrary and inconsistent. But we thought that with last year’s purge of racy applications, Apple sent a very strong message to adult companies and developers – adult apps are not allowed in the Apple App Store. The news was disappointing to many, at least Apple was finally giving us a clear answer.

Last year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs revealed that it was the company’s “moral responsibility” to keep the porn off their phones. Around the same time, he took a little jab at us and our beloved Android when he said the following:

You know, there’s a porn store for Android. You can download nothing but porn. You can download porn, your kids can download porn. That’s a place we don’t want to go – so we’re not going to go there.

And then there is Apple’s no-porn policy:

Apps containing pornographic material, defined by Webster’s Dictionary as ‘explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings,’ will be rejected.

So what gives?

Although no indication has been given as to why Cinemax was given the green light, one can’t help but wonder if the programming giant has been given preferential treatment. It wouldn’t be the first time. After the Great Purge of 2010, which included the ban of bikini apps, many were baffled to see Playboy, Victoria’s Secret, and Sport Illustrated Sports Edition available. Yet, even Playboy couldn’t slip some extra skin in their application. As a result, the gentlemen’s magazine developed a HTML5 web app.

At MiKandi, our stance continues to be that the mobile phone belongs to the consumer who owns it and that they should be able to download and purchase the applications that they desire. We may be a small app store market, but we’re proud that we treat our developers and customers fairly and equally.

Get MiKandi today!

If you’re an adult and you’re tired of being told what you can and cannot have on your device, get yourself an Android and download MiKandi. MiKandi is the world’s first and largest adult app market.

You can download MiKandi onto your Android 1.6+ device in three simple steps:

1. Change your device’s settings to allow installations from third parties. To do this, go to Menu> Settings> Applications and tap Unknown Sources. (AT&T customer? There are some things you should know first.)
2. Go to m.mikandi.com on your mobile browser. Tap the blue Download Now button.
3. Once the download is complete, you’ll be prompted to install. Review the permissions, tap Install, and voila! Our bevy of the world’s best adult apps at your fingertips.

Are you a developer?

If you’re a developer and you’re tired of unclear and arbitrary content restrictions, join the MiKandi family today. Register your free developer account at developer.mikandi.com.