Earlier today, Apple began removing apps that feature the Confederate flag from its App Store.
The move follows a mass-shooting at an historic church in Charleston, South Carolina. After photos surfaced of the shooter posing with the Confederate flag, criticism over the emblem often associated with slavery began to mount.
TouchArcade posted the news earlier today...
It's looking like Apple has pulled everything from the App Store that features a Confederate flag, regardless of context. The reasoning Apple is sending developers is "...because it includes images of the confederate flag used in offensive and mean-spirited ways."
Apple has now issued an official statement in regards to the removal of the games telling the site that, "We have removed apps from the App Store that use the Confederate flag in offensive or mean-spirited ways, which is in violation of our guidelines." However, it appears as though the company's definition of "offensive and mean-spirited" is quite broad and includes battle games that focus on historical accuracy.
Apple is apparently demanding that developers remove or replace the Confederate app in their apps. If this is indeed true, it raises a whole new set of issues involving censorship and the erasing of history.
TouchArcade writes, "Objectionable as it is, the existence of the Confederate flag in these Civil War games is historically accurate, and I'm not sure that any company should have the ability to mold history to its standards and beliefs."
Let us know what you think in the comments. Should Apple be able to force developers to remove depictions of the Confederate flag? If yes, shouldn't they also remove all other games and apps that depict imagery which convey negative connotations?
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The move follows a mass-shooting at an historic church in Charleston, South Carolina. After photos surfaced of the shooter posing with the Confederate flag, criticism over the emblem often associated with slavery began to mount.
TouchArcade posted the news earlier today...
It's looking like Apple has pulled everything from the App Store that features a Confederate flag, regardless of context. The reasoning Apple is sending developers is "...because it includes images of the confederate flag used in offensive and mean-spirited ways."
Apple has now issued an official statement in regards to the removal of the games telling the site that, "We have removed apps from the App Store that use the Confederate flag in offensive or mean-spirited ways, which is in violation of our guidelines." However, it appears as though the company's definition of "offensive and mean-spirited" is quite broad and includes battle games that focus on historical accuracy.
Apple is apparently demanding that developers remove or replace the Confederate app in their apps. If this is indeed true, it raises a whole new set of issues involving censorship and the erasing of history.
TouchArcade writes, "Objectionable as it is, the existence of the Confederate flag in these Civil War games is historically accurate, and I'm not sure that any company should have the ability to mold history to its standards and beliefs."
Let us know what you think in the comments. Should Apple be able to force developers to remove depictions of the Confederate flag? If yes, shouldn't they also remove all other games and apps that depict imagery which convey negative connotations?
Read More