Censorship by Apple#Papers, Please

In 2005, Steve Jobs banned all books published by John Wiley & Sons from the Apple retail stores in response to their publishing an unauthorized biography, iCon.{{cite news|last=Hafner|first=Katie|date=April 30, 2005|title=Steve Jobs's Review of His Biography: Ban It|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/30/technology/30apple.html|access-date=October 16, 2006|work=The New York Times}}{{cite web|last=Orlowski|first=Andrew|date=April 27, 2005|title=Book giant feels wrath of Jobs|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/27/apple_snubs_wiley/|access-date=July 18, 2009|work=The Register}}

The book received criticism for "failing to cohesively and clearly express the opinion of Jobs, linguistic redundancies, and clumsy anecdotes." However, despite the criticisms of the quality of Jeffrey S. Young and William L. Simon's writing and the attempts to highlight Steve Jobs's "negative" characteristics as a boss and individual, thought leader Dan Sumption admitted that the book was a relatively entertaining view into the life of Steve Jobs.{{cite web|last=Sumption|first=Dan|title=Review of iCon - Steve Jobs, The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business by Jeffrey S. Young and William L. Simon|url=http://www.sumption.org/articles/brandRepublic-iConSteveJobsBookReview.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426021040/http://www.sumption.org/articles/brandRepublic-iConSteveJobsBookReview.html|archive-date=April 26, 2013|access-date=November 20, 2013}}

The iBooks description for Moby-Dick censored the words "sperm whale" as of April 2010.{{Cite web|date=June 5, 2010|title=Apple iBooks Censors 'Sperm'?|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/05/apple-ibooks-censors-sper_n_525564.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510065452/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/05/apple-ibooks-censors-sper_n_525564.html|archive-date=May 10, 2013|access-date=May 31, 2013|website=HuffPost}}

According to The Daily Telegraph, four erotic books, including Blonde and Wet, the Complete Story, were allegedly removed from the top 10 chart on July 26, 2010.{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Heidi|date=June 27, 2010|title=Apple accused of censorship after porn disappears from iPad book chart|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/7911821/Apple-accused-of-censorship-after-porn-disappears-from-iPad-book-chart.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127200919/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/7911821/Apple-accused-of-censorship-after-porn-disappears-from-iPad-book-chart.html|archive-date=January 27, 2013|access-date=May 31, 2013|work=The Telegraph}}

Northwest Press has had repeated conflicts with Apple's content limitations on sales through the iBooks store. In 2011, an adaptation by Tom Bouden of Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest was only approved after the addition of black bars to cover partial male nudity.{{Cite web|date=2011-08-15|title=Gay Comics Publisher Declares Victory Over Apple|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/08/15/gay-comics-publisher-declares-victory-over-apple/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080718/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/08/15/gay-comics-publisher-declares-victory-over-apple/|archive-date=February 11, 2017|access-date=2017-02-10|website=Bleeding Cool Comic Book, Movie, TV News}} The technology company initially permitted the individual issues of Jon Macy's Fearful Hunter, but rejected the collected edition, then removed the issues.{{Cite news|date=2014-12-21|title=Gay Comic Publisher Undaunted by Apple's iBook Censorship|url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/geek/2014/12/21/gay-comic-publisher-undaunted-apples-ibook-censorship|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318124041/http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/geek/2014/12/21/gay-comic-publisher-undaunted-apples-ibook-censorship|archive-date=March 18, 2017|access-date=2017-02-10|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=December 23, 2014|title=Northwest Press Defies Apple Censorship of LGBT Content {{!}} Comic Book Legal Defense Fund|url=http://cbldf.org/2014/12/northwest-press-continues-to-challenge-apple-store-content-policies/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081343/http://cbldf.org/2014/12/northwest-press-continues-to-challenge-apple-store-content-policies/|archive-date=February 11, 2017|access-date=2017-02-10|website=cbldf.org|language=en-US}} The satirical Al-Qaeda's Super Secret Weapon was rejected outright. In 2016, Northwest published a self-censored version of Hard to Swallow by Justin Hall and Dave Davenport{{snd}}covering the "objectionable" parts with images of apples{{snd}}when the original version was rejected due to sexual content.{{Cite web|date=June 14, 2016|title=Northwest Press Protests iBooks Ban With 'Apple Version'|url=http://comicsalliance.com/northwest-press-hard-to-swallow-apple-ban-protest/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075810/http://comicsalliance.com/northwest-press-hard-to-swallow-apple-ban-protest/|archive-date=February 11, 2017|access-date=2017-02-10|website=Comics Alliance|language=en-US}}

There is a policy of censoring profanity in song titles on iTunes.[https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2008/oct/27/itunes-swear-words-censorship The songs that are too rude for iTunes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221074547/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2008/oct/27/itunes-swear-words-censorship|date=December 21, 2016}}, Michael Cragg, The Guardian October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008. This has resulted in a Scunthorpe glitch, by which inoffensive titles are censored due to a coincidental string of letters.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7688705.stm|title=iTunes glitch censors song titles, Friday 24 October 2008|date=October 24, 2008|access-date=May 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103085222/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7688705.stm|archive-date=January 3, 2009|url-status=live}}

If the song has an explicit label, it will be marked "explicit" next to the song title. If a song is marked "explicit", then it is unavailable for purchase if "restrict explicit content" is checked under the parental controls preference. Often, there will be a "clean" mark next to the title of some songs, meaning the lyrics have been censored, and is available to purchase on all accounts. Generally, if a song is marked "clean", there is an explicit version available as well.

On August 6, 2018, Apple removed all, but one of the podcasts created by InfoWars, a website owned by Alex Jones, a right-wing American conspiracy theorist radio-show host and content creator. Apple cited hate speech as the reason for the removal of the content.{{cite news|last1=Nicas|first1=Jack|title=Alex Jones and Infowars Content Is Removed From Apple, Facebook and YouTube|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/06/technology/infowars-alex-jones-apple-facebook-spotify.html|access-date=11 December 2018|agency=The New York Times|issue=Aug. 6, 2018|publisher=The New York Times Company|date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212102009/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/06/technology/infowars-alex-jones-apple-facebook-spotify.html|archive-date=December 12, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Nicas|first1=Jack|title=Gatekeepers or Censors? How Tech Manages Online Speech|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/07/technology/tech-companies-online-speech.html|access-date=11 December 2018|agency=The New York Times|issue=Aug. 7,2018|publisher=The New York Times Company|date=7 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215232730/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/07/technology/tech-companies-online-speech.html|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=live}} Apple's decision to remove this content sparked other major technology companies, including Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, and Google, into removing InfoWars content.

In October 2023, Apple canceled The Problem with Jon Stewart because of editorial disagreements over Stewart's treatment of China and other topics.{{Cite web|last=Goldman|first=David|date=2023-10-20|title=Jon Stewart's show on Apple is over because of disagreements about China|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/20/media/jon-stewart-apple/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023043939/https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/20/media/jon-stewart-apple/index.html|archive-date=October 23, 2023|access-date=2023-10-23|website=CNN|language=en|quote=CEO Tim Cook made a surprise visit to China last week to drum up sales for Apple’s products and government support for the company’s manufacturing operations in the country. So a potentially critical look at China on Stewart’s show, streamed by Apple, may not have sat well with the consumers and officials Cook is hoping will help boost Apple’s bottom line in the region.}} The cancelation attracted criticism and questions from the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.{{Cite news|last1=Zengerle|first1=Patricia|last2=Martina|first2=Michael|date=2023-11-15|title=US lawmakers question Apple over Jon Stewart's China content|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-lawmakers-question-apple-over-jon-stewarts-china-content-2023-11-15/|access-date=2023-11-15|archive-date=November 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115153525/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-lawmakers-question-apple-over-jon-stewarts-china-content-2023-11-15/|url-status=live}}

{{Further|App Store (Apple)|iOS app approvals|iOS jailbreaking}}

file:Censored on the App Store black bg.png

In May 2009, Apple rejected the first version of "Newspapers", an iPhone app that let users read content from 50+ newspapers around the world, including The New York Times, France's Le Monde, and the United Kingdom tabloid The Sun. The app was rejected because the topless "Page 3" girls daily features were described as "obscene". A second version of the application was submitted, removing access to The Sun, and adding a price tag of £0.59. The app was made available in the summer, after the release of the iPhone 3.0 software.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2009/may/06/sun-newsinternational|title=The Sun's 'obscene' Page 3 girls get iPhone newspaper app banned by Apple|newspaper=Guardian|date=May 6, 2009|access-date=December 2, 2009|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222185429/http://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2009/may/06/sun-newsinternational|archive-date=February 22, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Sherwood|first=James|url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/05/05/the_sun_app_ban/|title=Apple bans Page 3 from iPhone app|publisher=Reghardware.co.uk|date=May 5, 2009|access-date=December 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126013657/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/05/05/the_sun_app_ban/|archive-date=November 26, 2009|url-status=dead}} Another application, of similar nature to 'Newspapers', called 'Eucalyptus' allowed users to download e-books to their iPhone, though was rejected by Apple because one of the e-books that could have been downloaded was the Kama Sutra. The ban has since been lifted.{{cite news|author=Logged in as click here to log out|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2009/may/24/iphone-ban-eucalyptus|title=Apple backtracks over ban on ebook application Eucalyptus | Technology | guardian.co.uk|newspaper=Guardian|access-date=December 2, 2009|location=London|date=May 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906134415/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2009/may/24/iphone-ban-eucalyptus|archive-date=September 6, 2013|url-status=live}}

{{blockquote|We do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone{{nbsp}}... Folks who want porn can buy an Android phone.|Steve Jobs}}

{{blockquote|We can't adapt European magazines to the standards of Utah.|Mathias Müller von Blumencron (editor of Der Spiegel, warning that the news magazine would not alter its content for the App Store)}}

The App Store has Playboy and Sports Illustrated adult-rated apps that have yet to be removed, while some apps by others were removed citing adult content which has resulted in accusations of hypocrisy. Despite this, adult sites continue to market for iPhone and iPad users.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/02/23/apple-iphone-pornography-ban/|title=Apple, There's Pornography On My iPhone. The App Is Called Safari. You Made It.|author=MG Siegler|date=February 23, 2010|work=TechCrunch|location=|access-date=May 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527012145/http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/23/apple-iphone-pornography-ban/|archive-date=May 27, 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gayiporn.com|title=Gay iPorn - IPhone ready site|access-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522031741/http://gayiporn.com/|archive-date=May 22, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/02/20/app-store-rules-sexy/|title=The New App Store Rules: No Swimsuits, No Skin, And No Innuendo|last=Kincaid|first=Jason|date=February 20, 2010|work=TechCrunch|location=|access-date=May 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526230444/http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/20/app-store-rules-sexy/|archive-date= May 26, 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://prismcomics.org/display.php?id=1858|title=iPad Publishing No Savior for Small Press, LGBT Comics Creators|author=Charles "Zan" Christensen|date=May 24, 2010|work=Prism Comics|location=|access-date=May 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529161653/http://prismcomics.org/display.php?id=1858|archive-date=May 29, 2010|url-status=dead}} In November 2009, the application of Stern (a mainstream German weekly magazine with a print circulation of about 900,000) was deleted for several weeks without warning.{{cite news|last=Pfanner|first=Eric|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/technology/15cache.html|title=Publishers Question Apple's Rejection of Nudity|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 14, 2010|access-date=April 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330224732/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/technology/15cache.html|archive-date=March 30, 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Goebel|first=Markus|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/03/29/europes-biggest-publisher-embraces-the-wepad/|title=Europe's biggest publisher embraces the WePad|website=Techcrunch|date=March 29, 2010|access-date=April 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414011954/http://eu.techcrunch.com/2010/03/29/europes-biggest-publisher-embraces-the-wepad/|archive-date=April 14, 2010|url-status=live}} In January 2010, Europe's largest newspaper, German tabloid Bild, removed content from the iPhone version of its print edition at the request of Apple, and later it had to modify one of its applications{{snd}}like in the Stern case because of nudity.Mercedes Bunz: [https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2010/mar/09/bild-iphone-app German publisher in row with Apple over pin-ups in iPhone app] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203081932/https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2010/mar/09/bild-iphone-app|date=February 3, 2017}} The Guardian, March 9, 2010 The Association of German Magazine Publishers (VDZ) warned that with such interventions Apple might be moving towards censorship.

On November 26, 2010, an informational magazine about Google's OS from the Danish publisher Mediaprovider was not allowed in the app store.{{Cite web|url=http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/11/26/apple-bans-android-magazine-app/|title=Apple bans Android magazine app - Apple 2.0 -Fortune Tech|access-date=July 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608031650/http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/11/26/apple-bans-android-magazine-app/|archive-date=June 8, 2013|url-status=dead}}

The Guardian described rejection of explicit content by Apple as analogous to that of the distributor WHSmith, a main distributor which for many years imposed content restrictions on British publishers. Workers at the fashion magazine Dazed & Confused have nicknamed their iPad edition the "Iran edition".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/may/10/ipad-apple|title=Wikipedia's porn purge, and cleaning up for the iPad|author=Jack Schofield|date=May 10, 2010|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=December 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104202826/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/may/10/ipad-apple|archive-date=November 4, 2013|url-status=live}}

In December 2009, Apple banned a cartoon app called NewsToons by cartoonist Mark Fiore, on the grounds that it "ridiculed public figures".{{cite magazine|last=Paul|first=Ian|title=Apple Rejects Pulitzer Prize Winner's App|magazine=PC World|date=April 16, 2010|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/194387/apple_rejects_pulitzer_prize_winners_app.html|access-date=April 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418015524/http://www.pcworld.com/article/194387/apple_rejects_pulitzer_prize_winners_app.html|archive-date=April 18, 2010|url-status= live}} In April 2010, Fiore won the Pulitzer Prize for his political satire cartoons, making history as the very first internet-only cartoonist to win the prestigious journalistic prize.{{cite web|url=http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/04/15/2059238/Apple-Blocks-Cartoonist-From-App-Store|title=Slashdot Apple Story | Apple Blocks Cartoonist From App Store|publisher=Slashdot|date=April 15, 2010|access-date=April 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511215505/http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/04/15/2059238/Apple-Blocks-Cartoonist-From-App-Store|archive-date=May 11, 2011|url-status=live}} Following public outcry after the story broke in the wake of the award, Apple asked Fiore to resubmit his app, and it was subsequently accepted. Fiore said, "Sure, mine might get approved, but what about someone who hasn't won a Pulitzer and who is maybe making a better political app than mine? Do you need some media frenzy to get an app approved that has political material?"{{cite news|last=Stelter|first=Brian|title=A Pulitzer Winner Gets Apple's Reconsideration|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 16, 2010|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/books/17cartoonist.html|access-date=April 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417101820/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/books/17cartoonist.html|archive-date=April 17, 2010|url-status=live}}

In April 2009, a game called Baby Shaker was approved for the App Store then later removed due to complaints. The game allowed the user to shake their phone until an image of a cartoon baby on the screen died.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8015876.stm|title=Baby Shaker Game Causes Outrage | BBC|work=BBC News|date=April 24, 2009|access-date=December 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427192608/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8015876.stm|archive-date=April 27, 2009|url-status=live}}

In May 2009, Trent Reznor of the rock band Nine Inch Nails announced, via his Twitter account, that Apple had rejected an update to the Nine Inch Nails application due to "objectionable content".{{cite web|author=trent_reznor|url=https://twitter.com/trent_reznor|title=Trent Reznor (trent_reznor) on Twitter|publisher=Twitter.com|date=|accessdate=December 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406121813/https://twitter.com/trent_reznor|archive-date=April 6, 2010|url-status=live}} The developer posted a message on the Nine Inch Nails discussion boards explaining the situation further:

{{blockquote|v1.0 is live. v1.0.3 got rejected due to content yet the app has no content in it. this was mainly a stability release to fix the bug that crashes the app for international users. the bug was fixed 24 hours after 1.0 went live and we have been waiting for apple to approve it ever since. meanwhile the app continues to get a growing number of 1 star ratings from international users understandably frustrated by the bug. but looks like our hands are tied.{{cite web|url=http://forum.nin.com/bb/read.php?9,651569,651866#msg-651866|title=NIN iPhone app rejection|publisher=Forum.nin.com|date=|access-date=July 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507182214/http://forum.nin.com/bb/read.php?9%2C651569%2C651866#msg-651866|archive-date=May 7, 2009|url-status=dead}}}}

Apple later permitted the update.{{cite web|url=http://uk.i4u.com/article24693.html|title=Apple Allows NIN App Update|publisher=Uk.i4u.com|date=May 11, 2009|access-date=December 2, 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

In December 2009, Ted Lando's eBook app "Take Control of iPhone OS 3" was rejected by Apple. The app was not permitted back into the app store until all references to jailbreaking were removed.{{cite news|url=http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/rejected_by_apple|title=Rejected By Apple|publisher=Mac Observer|access-date=June 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918081915/https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/rejected_by_apple|archive-date=September 18, 2016|url-status=live}}

In 2011, Apple banned a game called Phone Story that explored the ethical challenges of smartphone manufacturing, including conflict minerals, environmental waste, and troubled labor practices.{{cite news|last=Dredge|first=Stuart|title=Apple bans satirical iPhone game Phone Story from its App Store|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2011/sep/14/apple-phone-story-rejection|access-date=March 15, 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=September 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315101214/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2011/sep/14/apple-phone-story-rejection|archive-date=March 15, 2014|url-status=live}} The game was eventually published on the web by its creator Molleindustria.

In August 2012, Josh Begley created an iPhone app that sent out a push notification whenever a U.S. military UAV struck a target. The app was rejected because of Apple finding the content "objectionable and crude".{{cite web|url=http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/27914/apple-bans-drone-strike-app/|title=Apple bans 'drone strike' app|publisher=Infosecurity Magazine|date=August 31, 2012|access-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027172616/http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/27914/apple-bans-drone-strike-app|archive-date=October 27, 2012|url-status=live}}

On March 11, 2013, HiddenApps was approved and appeared in the App Store. This app provided access to developer diagnostic menus, allowed for stock Apps to be hidden and enabled an opt-out feature for iAds, Apple's developer driven advertisement system.{{cite web|url=http://akufu.com/hiddenapps-iads-opt-out-jailbreak/|title=HiddenApps Allows iAds Opt-Out Without Jailbreak|publisher=akufu.com|date=|access-date=March 13, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313230415/http://akufu.com/hiddenapps-iads-opt-out-jailbreak/|archive-date=March 13, 2013}}

In July 2013, a tech education startup called Treehouse claimed that Apple had refused to let them release an iOS app that contained lessons about Android.{{Cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/07/25/tech-education-startup-treehouse-branches-out-to-the-ipad/|title=Treehouse Branches Out to the iPad with a New App|date=July 25, 2013|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711064733/https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/07/25/tech-education-startup-treehouse-branches-out-to-the-ipad/|archive-date=July 11, 2017|url-status=live}}

The video game Papers, Please, centered around the operation of a border checkpoint, was brought to iPad in December 2014, but developer Lucas Pope was forced to remove some pixelated nudity from the game's full-body scanner to be allowed to release the game for Apple devices.{{cite web|last1=Pope|first1=Lucas|title=Apple forces nude immigrants to cover up in iPad version of Papers, Please|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/12/apple-forces-nude-immigrants-to-cover-up-in-ipad-version-of-papers-please/|website=Ars Technica|date=December 12, 2014|access-date=December 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212051050/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/12/apple-forces-nude-immigrants-to-cover-up-in-ipad-version-of-papers-please/|archive-date=December 12, 2014|url-status=live}} After a few days, Pope was permitted to upload a full version of the game to the App Store including pixelated nudity in an apparent reversal by Apple. However, it is still rated 17+ on the App Store.{{Cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/app/papers-please/id935216956|title=Papers, Please on the App Store|publisher=App Store|access-date=December 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013081617/https://itunes.apple.com/app/papers-please/id935216956|archive-date=October 13, 2015|url-status=live}}

On May 4, 2015, Apple removed the France Musique application from its App store due to the airing of "inappropriate content" in a podcast.{{cite web|last1=|first1=|title=Apple a depublié l'appli @francemusique pour cause de contenus adultes|url=https://twitter.com/laurentfrisch/status/595200010129661952|website=Twitter|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305151712/https://twitter.com/laurentfrisch/status/595200010129661952|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}} The application displayed a painting by Édouard Manet, Olympia, depicting mild nudity. The podcast application was submitted to the App Store again, with a 17+ rating.{{cite web|last1=|first1=|title=Censurée par Apple, France Musique va classer " + de 17 ans " son application En savoir plus sur|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/musiques/article/2015/05/07/censuree-par-apple-france-musique-va-classer-de-17-ans-son-application_4629685_1654986.html|website=Le Monde|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520200547/http://www.lemonde.fr/musiques/article/2015/05/07/censuree-par-apple-france-musique-va-classer-de-17-ans-son-application_4629685_1654986.html|archive-date=May 20, 2015|url-status=live}}

In October 2015, Apple rejected a custom streaming application for Apple TV that was created by some members of the Frankfurt branch of Chaos Computer Club, Europe's largest hacker association. The application was meant to show recordings of talks from Chaos Computer Club's conferences. According to a blog post that was written about the incident, Apple's reason was because "some of the videos show how to hack Apple devices".{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} The recordings are publicly available and are hosted on YouTube as well. Using the YouTube app still allows playback of the content on Apple devices.

Apple banned the video game The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth from appearing in the iOS App Store due to its cartoon depictions of violence towards children.{{cite news|last1=Grubb|first1=Jeff|title=Apple's gaming censorship continues: The Binding of Isaac blocked from App Store|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/02/07/apples-gaming-censorship-continues-the-binding-of-isaac-blocked-from-app-store/|access-date=9 March 2016|work=VentureBeat|date=7 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727181942/https://venturebeat.com/2016/02/07/apples-gaming-censorship-continues-the-binding-of-isaac-blocked-from-app-store/|archive-date=July 27, 2017|url-status=live}} The game was subsequently accepted in the next year, with a 17+ rating.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-01-11-the-binding-of-isaac-rebirth-is-out-now-on-ios|title=The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is out now on iOS|first=Jeffrey|last=Matulef|date=January 11, 2017|access-date=January 11, 2017|work=Eurogamer|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113052356/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-01-11-the-binding-of-isaac-rebirth-is-out-now-on-ios|url-status=live}}

In February 2018, Apple removed Telegram and Telegram X, encrypted messaging applications made by Telegram Messenger LLP, from the App Store due to content deemed inappropriate.{{cite news|last1=Warren|first1=Tom|title=Telegram temporarily removed from Apple's App Store due to 'inappropriate content'|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/1/16958990/telegram-apple-app-store-removal-inappropriate-content|access-date=12 December 2018|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media, Inc.|date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209161343/https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/1/16958990/telegram-apple-app-store-removal-inappropriate-content|archive-date=December 9, 2018|url-status=live}} Apple specifically cited instances of child pornography that was made available to users, and subsequently banned the apps until the situation could be dealt with.{{cite news|last1=Statt|first1=Nick|title=Apple removed Telegram from the App Store over distribution of child pornography|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/5/16974710/apple-telegram-ios-app-store-removal-explanation-child-pornography-distribution|access-date=12 December 2018|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media, Inc.|date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213200458/https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/5/16974710/apple-telegram-ios-app-store-removal-explanation-child-pornography-distribution|archive-date=December 13, 2018|url-status=live}}

Apple removed the InfoWars app from the App Store in September 2018 citing content that violated their policy against indecent material.{{cite news|last1=Etienne|first1=Stefan|title=Apple just permanently banned Infowars from the App Store|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/7/17833748/apple-just-permanently-banned-infowars-from-the-app-store|access-date=12 December 2018|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media, Inc.|date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210145951/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/7/17833748/apple-just-permanently-banned-infowars-from-the-app-store|archive-date=December 10, 2018|url-status=live}} Apple's ban simply prevents users from downloading the app, but does not restrict access to those with the app installed.{{cite news|last1=Nicas|first1=Jack|title=Alex Jones's Infowars Is Removed From Apple's App Store|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/07/business/infowars-app-alex-jones-apple-ban.html|access-date=11 December 2018|website=The New York Times|issue=Sept. 7, 2018|date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212151100/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/07/business/infowars-app-alex-jones-apple-ban.html|archive-date=December 12, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Bowden|first1=John|title=Apple bans Infowars app from store: report|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/405675-apple-bans-infowars-app-from-store-report|accessdate=12 December 2018|work=The Hill|publisher=CAPITOL HILL PUBLISHING CORP.|date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121193157/https://thehill.com/policy/technology/405675-apple-bans-infowars-app-from-store-report|archive-date=November 21, 2018|url-status=live}}

In November 2018, Apple removed the Tumblr app from the App Store due to Tumblr's failure to filter child pornography.{{cite web|last1=Porter|first1=Jon|title=Tumblr was removed from Apple's App Store over child pornography issues|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/20/18104366/tumblr-ios-app-child-pornography-removed-from-app-store|website=The Verge|date=November 20, 2018|access-date=12 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206202300/https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/20/18104366/tumblr-ios-app-child-pornography-removed-from-app-store|archive-date=December 6, 2018|url-status=live}} Tumblr uses a database of known child pornography to automatically detect and remove child pornography from their website, however they found evidence of images that were not in the database present on Tumblr. In response to the ban, Tumblr removed the instances of child pornography and has since moved to ban all pornographic material on their platform as of December 17, 2018.{{cite news|last1=Stampler|first1=Laura|title=Tumblr to Ban 'Adult Content.' Some Users Aren't Happy|url=http://fortune.com/2018/12/03/tumblr-ban-porn-adult-content/|access-date=12 December 2018|journal=Fortune|date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222708/http://fortune.com/2018/12/03/tumblr-ban-porn-adult-content/|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=live}}

In December 2018, Apple removed the strategy game Afghanistan '11 due to the fact that it featured real-life combatants. Slitherine, the developers of the game, countered that the main objectives focused on supporting Afghan civilians rather than defeating the Taliban. This followed a temporary ban of the game Ultimate General: Gettysburg for featuring the Confederate flag in historical context.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/6/18128924/afghanistan-11-taliban-app-store-removed|title=Afghanistan '11, game with US and Taliban forces, removed from app store|first=Charlie|last=Hall|website=Polygon|date=2018-12-06|access-date=2018-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223120950/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/6/18128924/afghanistan-11-taliban-app-store-removed|archive-date=December 23, 2018|url-status=live}}

In October 2019, Apple removed the HKmap.live app from its App Store. HKMap is used to track the locations of protests and police in Hong Kong. Apple stated that the app "allowed users to evade law enforcement".{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49919459|publisher=BBC News|date=October 3, 2019|title=Apple bans Hong Kong protest location app|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003192254/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49919459|archive-date=October 3, 2019}}

In 2020, Apple forced Facebook to remove a message informing users that Apple took a 30% cut of all fees for paid online events. Apple claimed that the notification was against the App Store policy on "irrelevant" information, a position Facebook disagreed with.{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/08/facebook-says-apple-vetoed-telling-users-about-30-percent-event-charge/|website=Ars Technica|title=Apple won't let Facebook tell users about 30-percent Apple tax on events|first=Timothy B.|last=Lee|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831025636/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/08/facebook-says-apple-vetoed-telling-users-about-30-percent-event-charge/|url-status=live}}

In 2021, Apple and Google removed the Navalny app from the App Store and Google Play Store respectively. The app was pulled the day of Russia's parliamentary elections which cause the app's creator, Alexei Navalny, and his supporters to claim that the two companies are taking part in political suppression.{{Cite news|last=Wayt|first=Theo|date=September 17, 2021|title=Apple, Google block Alexei Navalny's app in act of 'political censorship'|work=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2021/09/17/apple-google-block-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-app/|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010182759/https://nypost.com/2021/09/17/apple-google-block-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-app/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Roth|first=Andrew|date=September 17, 2021|title=Apple and Google accused of 'political censorship' over Alexei Navalny app|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/apple-and-google-accused-of-political-censorship-over-alexei-navalny-app|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917113806/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/17/apple-and-google-accused-of-political-censorship-over-alexei-navalny-app|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Cichowlas|first=Ola|date=September 17, 2021|title=Google, Apple 'Censor' Navalny App As Russian Polls Open|work=International Business Times|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/google-apple-censor-navalny-app-russian-polls-open-3297343|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010182800/https://www.ibtimes.com/google-apple-censor-navalny-app-russian-polls-open-3297343|url-status=live}} Apple sent a letter to Navalny's affiliates stating that the app had content that is illegal in Russia.

The following are instances of censorship and information control imposed by Apple in App Stores other than the United States App Store. Many were imposed due to pressure from foreign governments and were put into effect to comply with laws. The restrictions, however, are applied even after the user moves to another country, unless they change the region of their Apple ID, which requires cancelling existing subscriptions and setting up a new payment method.{{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201389|title=Change your Apple ID country or region|date=November 4, 2022|access-date=September 19, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173508/https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201389|url-status=live}}

{{Further|Chinese censorship abroad}}

File:Apple China flag.png of Chinese flag with Apple characteristics, by TechCrunch]]

As early as 2015, Apple shut off its News app inside China.{{Cite news|last=Fung|first=Brian|date=October 12, 2015|title=China welcomes Apple's iPhones. Its News app? Not so much.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/10/12/china-is-happy-to-have-apples-iphones-its-news-app-not-so-much/|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207134403/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/10/12/china-is-happy-to-have-apples-iphones-its-news-app-not-so-much/|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Apple removed apps from the Chinese App Store that allowed users to access content forbidden by the Chinese government. Many of these apps gave users access to virtual private networks that could allow them to circumvent the Great Firewall. Apple did not cite any Chinese laws, but claimed that the apps broke the laws of their local governments. Among the apps removed was VyprVPN, an app by Golden Frog, a company which had filed an amicus brief supporting Apple during the Apple–FBI encryption dispute. Apple is the first foreign global technology company to concede to the Chinese government's demands.{{cite news|last1=Mozur|first1=Paul|title=Apple Removes Apps From China Store That Help Internet Users Evade Censorship|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/29/technology/china-apple-censorhip.html|access-date=11 December 2018|work=The New York Times|issue=Jul. 29, 2018|date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209160530/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/29/technology/china-apple-censorhip.html|archive-date=December 9, 2018|url-status=live}}

Apple removes VPNs from the Chinese App Store in order to comply with the Chinese government and stay in the market.{{Cite web|last=Shaban|first=Hamza|date=August 2, 2017|title=Why Tim Cook's conciliatory approach in China is likely to fail: Experts says China, eager to prop up its domestic tech industry, may move to tighten censorship restrictions even more.|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1925690523|id={{ProQuest|1925690523}}}}{{Cite web|last=Rauhala|first=Emily|date=August 2, 2017|title=Apple, Amazon help China curb the use of anti-censorship tools: Apple's chief defended the move as necessary to remain in the Chinese market, but activists worry about fewer options to beat censors.|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1925752291|id={{ProQuest|1925752291}}}} The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, stated that if they censor now, the rules for censorship in China may relax.

In 2018, Apple restricted the emoji of the flag of the Republic of China on devices used in mainland China.{{cite web|last1=Horwitz|first1=Josh|title=You can't use the Taiwan flag emoji on a Chinese iPhone|url=https://qz.com/1250884/you-cant-use-the-taiwan-flag-emoji-on-a-chinese-iphone/|website=Quartz|date=April 12, 2018|access-date=11 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223255/https://qz.com/1250884/you-cant-use-the-taiwan-flag-emoji-on-a-chinese-iphone/|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=live}} The same year, Apple removed the Voice of America app in China at the behest of the Cyberspace Administration of China.{{Cite web|last=Kan|first=Michael|date=April 22, 2022|title=FCC Commissioner Urges Apple to Stand Up to China's Censorship|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-commissioner-urges-apple-to-stand-up-to-chinas-censorship|access-date=2022-04-30|website=PCMag|language=en|archive-date=April 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430162555/https://www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-commissioner-urges-apple-to-stand-up-to-chinas-censorship|url-status=live}}

In 2018, Apple's restrictions on sending the word "Taiwan" or sending an emoji representing the flag of Taiwan on iDevices using a Chinese country code or language settings caused the devices to crash.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/07/iphone-crashing-bug-likely-caused-by-code-added-to-appease-chinese-govt/|title=iPhone crashing bug likely caused by code added to appease Chinese gov't|first=Dan|last=Goodin|date=July 10, 2018|website=Ars Technica|access-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710233131/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/07/iphone-crashing-bug-likely-caused-by-code-added-to-appease-chinese-govt/|archive-date=July 10, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://objective-see.com/blog/blog_0x34.html|title=A Remote iOS Bug|date=July 10, 2018|first=Patrick|last=Wardle|publisher=objective-see llc|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180710233321/https://objective-see.com/blog/blog_0x34.html|archive-date=July 10, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/apple-china-censorship-bug-iphone-crash-emoji|magazine=Wired|title=Apple's China-Friendly Censorship Caused an iPhone-Crashing Bug|date=July 10, 2018|first=Andy|last=Greenberg|quote=Since at least early 2017, iOS has included that Chinese censorship function: Switch your iPhone's location setting to China, and the Taiwanese flag emoji essentially disappears from your phone, evaporating from its library of emojis and appearing as a "missing" emoji in any text that appears on the screen. That code likely represents a favor from Apple to the Chinese government, which for the last 70 years has maintained that Taiwan is a part of China and has no legitimate independent government.|access-date=July 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713210557/https://www.wired.com/story/apple-china-censorship-bug-iphone-crash-emoji/|archive-date=July 13, 2018|url-status=live}}

Artists who reference the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre have had some or all of their music removed from iTunes, including Jacky Cheung Hok-yau and Tat Ming Pair.{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3012782/outspoken-folk-rock-singer-li-zhi-disappears-china-tightens|title=Outspoken folk rock singer Li Zhi disappears as China tightens grip ahead of Tiananmen anniversary|date=June 2, 2019|publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602144651/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3012782/outspoken-folk-rock-singer-li-zhi-disappears-china-tightens|archive-date=June 2, 2019|url-status=live}}

In July 2020, Apple removed 3,300 unlicensed games from the Chinese App Store.{{Cite web|last=Sheng|first=Wei|date=2020-07-03|title=Apple purges 3,300 games from China App Store in 2 days · TechNode|url=http://technode.com/2020/07/03/apple-purges-3300-games-from-china-app-store-in-2-days/|access-date=2023-09-04|website=TechNode|language=en-US|archive-date=September 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904161342/https://technode.com/2020/07/03/apple-purges-3300-games-from-china-app-store-in-2-days/|url-status=live}}

Five months later, Apple removed a further 48,000 unlicensed games from the Chinese App Store.{{Cite web|last=Sheng|first=Wei|date=2020-12-09|title=Apple to remove all unlicensed games from China App Store · TechNode|url=http://technode.com/2020/12/09/apple-to-remove-all-unlicensed-games-from-china-app-store/|access-date=2023-09-04|website=TechNode|language=en-US|archive-date=September 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904160553/https://technode.com/2020/12/09/apple-to-remove-all-unlicensed-games-from-china-app-store/|url-status=live}} Removed apps included Asphalt 8: Airborne, Grand Theft Auto, and Fruit Ninja.

In 2021, Apple removed a Quran app and a Bible app from the China App Store.{{Cite news|last=Clayton|first=James|date=2021-10-15|title=Apple takes down Koran app in China|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58921230|access-date=2021-10-15|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015192120/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58921230|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Hamilton|first=Isobel Asher|title=Apple took down a Quran app and a Bible app in China on the request of Chinese officials|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-takes-down-quran-bible-jehovahs-witenss-apps-in-china-2021-10|access-date=2021-10-24|website=Business Insider|language=en-US|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024025640/https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-takes-down-quran-bible-jehovahs-witenss-apps-in-china-2021-10|url-status=live}} Apple also removed a popular daily prayer app for Muslims from China.{{Cite web|title=Muslim Pro Muslim Prayer Times – Apple Censorship|url=https://applecensorship.com/app-store-monitor/|access-date=2021-10-24|language=en-US|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024025641/https://applecensorship.com/app-store-monitor/|url-status=live}} The Jehovah's Witnesses' app was removed in May 2020.{{cite web|url=https://applecensorship.com/app-store-monitor/app/672417831/62fae050c9e50122704212e7|title=JW Library – Apple Censorship|access-date=September 19, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173142/https://applecensorship.com/app-store-monitor/app/672417831/62fae050c9e50122704212e7|url-status=dead}}

In October 2022, following the 2022 Beijing Sitong Bridge protest, Apple released an update which limited the AirDrop functionality on iPhones and iPads purchased in China, changing the option of "Receive from Everyone" to "Everyone for 10{{spaces}}minutes".{{cite web|url=https://9to5mac.com/2022/11/09/everyone-option-airdrop-10-minutes-china/|title=Apple to restrict 'Everyone' option in AirDrop to 10 minutes in China with iOS 16.1.1|date=2022-11-09|author=Filipe Espósito|website=9to5mac.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20221110070542/https://9to5mac.com/2022/11/09/everyone-option-airdrop-10-minutes-china/|archive-date=2022-11-10|url-status=live}}

The following month, Apple removed the TaiwanPlus app from the China App Store.{{Cite web|date=November 11, 2022|title=TaiwanPlus removed from Apple's China App Store, website blocked|url=https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202211110015|access-date=2022-11-18|website=Focus Taiwan|language=en-US|archive-date=November 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118022514/https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202211110015|url-status=live}}

In August 2023, Apple removed AI apps from Chinese App Store.{{Cite web|last=Dong|first=Cheyenne|date=2023-08-02|title=Apple widely removing generative AI apps from China's App Store · TechNode|url=http://technode.com/2023/08/02/apple-widely-removing-generative-ai-apps-from-chinas-app-store/|access-date=2023-09-04|website=TechNode|language=en-US|archive-date=September 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904160551/https://technode.com/2023/08/02/apple-widely-removing-generative-ai-apps-from-chinas-app-store/|url-status=live}}

In April 2024, Apple removed Threads, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal from the Chinese App Store.{{Cite web|date=April 22, 2024|title=Apple takes down WhatsApp, Threads from China app store|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/apple-04222024143916.html|access-date=2024-04-23|website=Radio Free Asia|language=en|archive-date=April 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423012553/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/apple-04222024143916.html|url-status=live}}

In February 2017, Apple restricted payment services in Iranian apps to comply with U.S. sanctions that forbade Iranian currency from entering the United States.{{cite news|last1=Erdbrink|first1=Thomas|last2=Goel|first2=Vindu|title=Apple, Citing U.S. Sanctions, Removes Popular Apps in Iran|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/technology/apple-iran.html|access-date=11 December 2018|work=The New York Times|issue=Aug. 24, 2018|date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215232645/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/technology/apple-iran.html|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=live}} The Iranian apps responded by implementing an Iranian electronic payment service.

In August 2017, Apple removed many Iranian apps from the App Store citing U.S. sanctions placed on Iran. While Apple has neither stores in Iran nor specific versions of the App Store for the country, Iranian citizens are able to get access to Apple products and content from external sources. Apple removed many apps developed specifically for Iranians, including a ride-sharing service called Snapp!, and a food delivery service called DelionFoods.

In May 2018, Apple played a role in the censorship of Telegram, an encrypted messaging app used globally.{{cite web|last1=Liao|first1=Shannon|title=Russia asks Apple to remove Telegram from the App Store|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/29/17406178/russia-telegram-apple-app-store-censorship|access-date=11 December 2018|website=The Verge|date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222509/https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/29/17406178/russia-telegram-apple-app-store-censorship|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Satariano|first1=Adam|last2=Nechepurenko|first2=Ivan|title=Telegram App Says Apple Is Blocking Updates Over Dispute With Russia|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/technology/telegram-apple-russia.html|accessdate=11 December 2018|work=The New York Times|issue=May 31, 2018|date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215232707/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/technology/telegram-apple-russia.html|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=live}} Interested in surveying the encrypted messages, the Russian government demanded Telegram provide decryption keys to their Federal Security Service. When Telegram refused, the Russian Government threatened Apple with legal repercussions if they did not block Telegram from the Russian App Store and eliminate the push notification feature. The founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has publicly claimed Apple has restricted Telegram users across the world from updating their app; an action that could cause problems for Telegram's ability to meet regulations.

In August 2021, Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto found that Apple censors engravings in Taiwan related to the Chinese Communist Party, mainland Chinese state bodies, and Falun Gong.{{Cite news|last=Kwan|first=Campbell|date=August 19, 2021|title=Citizen Lab finds Apple's China censorship process bleeds into Hong Kong and Taiwan|work=ZDNet|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/citizen-lab-finds-apples-china-censorship-process-bleeds-into-hong-kong-and-taiwan/|access-date=August 22, 2021|archive-date=November 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130205915/https://www.zdnet.com/article/citizen-lab-finds-apples-china-censorship-process-bleeds-into-hong-kong-and-taiwan/|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|last1=Knockel|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Ruan|first2=Lotus|date=2021-08-18|title=Engrave Danger: An Analysis of Apple Engraving Censorship across Six Regions|url=https://citizenlab.ca/2021/08/engrave-danger-an-analysis-of-apple-engraving-censorship-across-six-regions/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-22|website=Citizen Lab|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818144632/https://citizenlab.ca/2021/08/engrave-danger-an-analysis-of-apple-engraving-censorship-across-six-regions/|archive-date=August 18, 2021}}

• Censorship by Google
• {{section link|Censorship by Google|Google Play}}
• Censorship of Twitter
• Censorship of YouTube

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