Let’s face it, sex sells, especially when it comes to technology such as adult oriented games and applications for items like the iPhone. Apple could be taking a major hit these days after putting a new ban in order to remove applications known to possess adult-themed content.

On one hand, this could be a rather dumb move by Apple as buyers are willing to gladly fork over money for these racy downloads. Some not-so-kid-friendly applications available on the iPhone include one where the user blows into the headset to make a woman’s skirt go up and one where a questionable picture is revealed once the screen is rubbed.

Economically, the Apple App store is losing virtually a ton of money for removing applications that are paid for, as well as the interest of several app developers that create the content. Sure it is a safe way to keep our youth protected from obscenities but the decision to download these apps is a choice made by the user. From an ethical standpoint, I believe that it is a step in the right direction towards cleaning up technology and the world of data distribution. However, it is a brash step that is potentially going to end up doing more harm than good.

If Apple wants to take control and protect children and teens from such vulgar content, why not enforce a rating system or parental control block? It would be much more efficient in managing the system so that there would still be revenue coming in from the applications.

Using a rating system similar to the one commonly seen on television or video games and managed by the FCC would be the best route to go. It could also enable users to filter out unwanted content using ratings. Even utilizing a parental block system, one that would hide adult content just like those seen in modern television box sets, to set age ratings for available applications on the iPhone would be helpful.

The decision to take applications that are adult-oriented off the Apple App store is a poor one which will potentially decrease the sales made and possibly even cost developers more than was previously thought.