Apple removes anti-gay app following protests … but what took it so long?

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The controversial app designed to ‘help’ gays become straight has been removed from the Apple App Store. This follows a petition organised by Change.org, which secured 146,000 signatures in support of the removal of the app from religious group Exodus International.

Change.org pointed to Apple’s own guideline for which apps are allowed into the App Store, which reads: ‘Any app that is defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited or likely to place the targeted individual or group in harm’s way will be rejected.’ Change.org also highlighted the recent surge of gay teen suicides in the US, pointing out that this app is the sort of thing that legitimises the ostracism of gay youth.

The app has disappeared from the App Store without any comment from Apple, and Exodus International said it was disappointed not to be provided with neither notification nor explanation why the app was pulled.

We would like to see an explanation from Apple too – why the app was allowed in the first place, and why it took so long to get rid of it. Apple has a pretty decent record when it comes to supporting diversity, so let’s hope this is an isolated incident.

ShinyJess
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