Apple mentioned in China porn app probe

Apple is once again the subject of unwanted attention by China’s state media. This time, rather than singing the praises of the iPhone maker, China’s official newspaper includes the California company in a list of app stores that are part of a pornography investigation.

Although Apple’s name is not emphasized, the well-known brand is among a number of much lesser-known web sites and app stores mentioned in the second paragraph of the Wednesday issue of the People’s Daily. The mention could signal the China government’s intention to make Apple an example, as was done to Google in 2009, reports suggest…

In 20010, Google moved its regional headquarters to Hong Kong, following a 2009 attack by Chinese Central Television, which accused the Internet giant of spreading pornography.

Soon after that accusation, Google became the target of hackers, according to the Wall Street Journal.

An attack on Apple by China state media regarding the consumer technology firm’s policy of replacing broken products led to a public apology by CEO Tim Cook and what appeared to be a warmer relationship with China’s leaders.

However, the iPad maker seems to be now caught up in one of China’s regular campaigns against Internet pornography.

According to the Journal, in late March a government office described Apple’s App Store as“a source of ‘obscene pornographic’ content.”

The regulator told Apple to delete the content, prepare a report and ensure no future violations. On the heels of the warning, the China-based Xinhau cited “grave complaints about the pornographic e-books on Apple’s store,” reported the WSJ.

It’s unclear whether the complaints regarded sexual pornography or politically-banned writings, since the two often go hand-in-hand during such government crackdowns.

Apple recently removed an app from its China-based electronic books store after the government complained some writings were from a banned author.