The 9 Most Controversial Apps Censored By Apple

Apple's strict approval process for apps can be a tough hurdle to clear for some developers. But with over 425,000 iPhone applications available in the App Store, a few are bound to offend some customers.

Apple specifies in its Software Development Kit (SDK) that "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." (PDF)

Despite these guidelines, some developers submit potentially offensive apps that inexplicably escape Apple's censors. Other developers walk the gray line of "reasonable judgement." Meanwhile, Apple's approval guidlines protect the company from the inevitable outcry that occurs when an app that promotes a controversial issue finds its way into the App Store. Nonetheless, when a company has a consumer-base as expansive and diverse as Apple's, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep every user happy by filtering offensive content. Sometimes Apple needs to rely on its users to report these controversial apps in order to bring it to their attention.

We've collected some of the most controversial apps from the past year. Check them out in the slideshow (below), and tell us whether you think they deserve to be banned from the App Store. Then, take a look at our previous list of 15 outrageous banned apps.