Adult iPhone App Gets Apple Nod, Then Taken Down

CYBERSPACE — Wallpaper Universe didn’t make it very long as an iPhone application. The software, which allows users to post photos of nude women as wallpaper, didn’t make it past the weekend after making its debut.

Apple Inc. may have been purposely trying to test the market for such content, Harvey Kaplan, executive vice president of wireless development at BustBox Media Inc., told XBIZ.

“Somebody who was in the approval department thought the content was passable,” Kaplan said. “This looks like a corporate decision. Someone blew the whistle on this and that is why it got pulled down.”

A write-up posted on website ReadWriteWeb.com makes an argument that Apple’s review process may be flawed. The approval and then quick removal of Wallpaper Universe exposes a “giant gaping hole” in Apple's review process.

The article raises the question of whether Apple “intends to keep users safe from illegal and malicious applications, those that are bandwidth hogs, and those that raise privacy concerns.”

Above all, however, Apple apparently is hesitant about adult content on its sought-after smartphone.

“Apple won’t reveal what goes on behind the scenes with their approval process, a process that often takes weeks or months,” according to the article. “But this incident almost makes you wonder if there is one blurry-eyed guy sitting at a keyboard, clicking ‘approve, approve, reject’ all day as hundreds of applications arrive for approval.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

California, Florida Reps File Latest Bill to Repeal Section 230

Two members of Congress on Thursday introduced new legislation to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects interactive computer services — including adult platforms — from liability for user-generated content.

Admaze Introduces Flat-Rate Media Buying for Publishers, Advertisers

Adult ad network and agency Admaze has introduced a flat-rate media buying model for publishers and advertisers.

Centro Launches Lifetime Revenue Share Affiliate Program 'CentroPulse'

Centro has launched CentroPulse, its new lifetime revenue share affiliate program for performance marketers, adult traffic affiliates, established webmasters, and sub-affiliate network operators.

Fanstage Launches Telegram Sales Solution

Fanstage has launched its new platform, allowing creators to sell PPV content directly from their Telegram DMs.

Second Bill Proposed to Shield US Sites From 'Foreign Censorship'

For the second time in recent weeks, a Republican congressman has introduced legislation to bar U.S. courts from helping to enforce foreign laws restricting speech that would domestically be protected under the First Amendment, potentially including foreign age verification laws.

SextPanther Launches in EU, UK

SextPanther has expanded its territory to include the U.K. and E.U.

Segpay Expands to Australia, Names Sam O'Connell Managing Director

Segpay has expanded its territory to include Australia and named Sam O’Connell as managing director of its Australian operation.

Ondato Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

Age and identity verification company Ondato has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

2026 XBIZ Amsterdam Conference Schedule Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full show schedule for XBIZ Amsterdam, set to take place Sept. 10-13 at Passenger Terminal Amsterdam.

Ukrainian Legislators Revive Porn Decriminalization Push

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, is once again considering a bill that would decriminalize the creation and distribution of pornography in that country — an activity that currently carries a prison sentence of three to five years.

Show More