Microsoft Clamping Down on Porn-like App Development

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft is making it perfectly clear — no porn-like apps for its Windows Phones.

Sparked by recent criticism for a lack of quality apps from 3rd party developers that has helped push sexy T&A to the top shelf of the device’s app Marketplace, the company is moving to clean up content that’s “racy” or sexual in nature.

The tech giant issued new guidelines for app developers outlining, “a more stringent interpretation and enforcement of our existing content policy.”

Although Microsoft doesn’t allow “sexually suggestive or provocative” images or content on their apps, it is telling creators that it will now focus on paying attention to “the icons, titles, and content of these apps" and expects them to be more subtle and modest in the imagery and terms used.

So what does that mean?

“What we do permit is the kind of content you occasionally see on prime-time TV or the pages of a magazine’s swimsuit issue,” Todd Brix, Microsoft’s senior director of the Marketplace explained in his blog.

He continued, “While this change might require a little extra work on the part of a small number of developers, there are plenty of creative and appropriate ways to comply: showing male or female models in silhouette, for example, is one possible alternative.”

Developers whose sexy apps got by the earlier, more lax approval process aren’t in the clear and will be contacted and asked to clean up their act, Brix said.

All of this is in an effort to improve the customer shopping experience and eliminate any content some users may find offensive.

Another warning for developers is to not use unrelated tags for their apps that have nothing to do with the product in an effort to capitalize on popular buzz words.

Microsoft now follows Apple that has always restricted adult content on its phones, and more recently Google, that has begun enforcing its own content polices that place restrictions on adult materials and sexually-oriented apps.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 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

The Guardian Devotes Feature Article to XBIZ Amsterdam

British newspaper The Guardian sent a reporter to cover XBIZ Amsterdam earlier this month, resulting in a lengthy article about the annual European adult industry conference.

Pineapple Support Taps Char Borley as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Char Borley as its newest brand ambassador.

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Florida AG Sues Aylo, Segpay Over State AV Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Aylo and Segpay on Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for noncompliance with HB3, the state's age verification law.

Colombian Court Sides with Performer Esperanza Goméz Over IG Suspensions

Colombia’s Constitutional Court last week ruled in favor of adult performer Esperanza Gómez in her legal battle against Meta over repeated suspensions of her Instagram account.

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Aylo, Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Tackle Online Censorship in Virtual Seminar

Aylo and Woodhull Freedom Foundation will co-host a virtual panel addressing online censorship on Sept. 30.

Severe Sex Films Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Severe Sex Films has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Judge Awards Plaintiffs Over $400K in Attorneys Fees in Derek Hay Civil Case

California Superior Court Judge Gail Killefer has awarded former clients of LA Direct Models over $400,000 in attorneys fees and court costs, to be paid by agency founder Derek Hay.

ChickPass Rebrands as 'ChickPass Cinematic Universe'

ChickPass has announced that it has rebranded its network of sites as ChickPass Cinematic Universe.

Show More