Apple has yanked iChatr -- the chat-roulette-style app for iPhone 4 -- from the iTunes App Store.
If you're familiar with what goes on in these kinds of apps, the (predominantly male) nudity and sexual activity, then this probably doesn't come as much of a surprise. If you're not familiar, you probably downloaded it, became familiar quickly, and near instantly complained to Apple prompting the removal.
According to the developers, SKJM:
“The iChatr application has currently been removed from the App Store due to reports of a number of users exposing themselves during the random video chat sessions. We are currently discussing possible solutions to the problem with Apple.”
Jeff Scott from 148.apps adds:
you might as well stop now unless you have some wicked automatic genital recognition technology built in.
Good luck with that. And as to Apple's second, open development platform, HTML5, we're not sure
[148apps]
Reader comments
Sex shock! Nudity disbelief! iChatr Chat-Roulette-style app for iPhone 4 pulled from App Store
Well, it's difficult for an app which is chat roulette-like not to cause any troubles when it comes to the way it's being used by certain people...
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It's sad to know people would do that. That can mentally hurt a teen if they were in this situation... What I think, as a 21 year old, is that you should understand not to do that on video chats and such because if you do, and apple finds out, they can possibly delete that. That's asking for a app to be deleted.
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I'm sorry if human anatomy offends your puritanical sensibilities. If you don't want to see it, either 1) don't download it, or 2) skip the pen1ses until you find someone to talk to. If you don't want your kid to see it, tough sh1t, what they want to see it NOYB.
@Matt(sZ) "some may say “stop using the app”, but how is that fair to all the people who want to use it responsibly?"
Right, what makes more sense is to nuke the entire app so NOBODY can use it, all because you got all butthurt over seeing a johnson or two.
http://www.50cams.com is another one
@Matt(sZ) just because the app doesnt work the way you want it to doesnt mean it should b removed. the people that were showing x-rated material were using it for exactly what they wanted to. im sorry that the app wasnt what you wanted it to be but it shouldnt have been removed. Apple is in the wrong with all the limits they have placed on the iphone.
If you dont want to see it dont download it and as far as worrying that your daughter is going to see it teach her that its not ok/dont let her download and if she really want to see pornographic material the internet is full of it and its just a google away. so dont punish everyone because u cant keep your children in line.
Good , that app was filled with a bunch of dorks who cant get a real girl or wanna show there stuff to dudes and get off on it
LMAO...this was a South Park episode a while back.
It becomes a problem when I'm trying to use an app and I have to continually swipe my finger across the image of another mans penis 10-20 times before I can actually chat with someone who doesn't have their phone pointed at their crotch... It kinda takes the fun out of it, some may say "stop using the app", but how is that fair to all the people who want to use it responsibly?
Apple doesn't serve up porn in its store front and everyone is up in arms, but wouldn't dare complain about Wal-Mart or any other store on/offline who doesn't serve up porn.
example...
Walmart sells devices that can access porn in their stores, but wont serve the same porn from their stores, they could VERY easily have an adult section, and they also could have a restriction in place to ID everyone who decides to purchase porn, but instead, they CHOOSE NOT to deal with it at all. Apple chose the same route, so you can either respect it, or STOP SUPPORTING THEM.
a lot of you seem to have battered wife syndrome and it's sickening. If you're tired of getting your ass kicked, than leave, there are no kids to "stick around for"
/rant
All of you easily offended people need to find something else to concern yourself with. The iPhone has parental controls, and I believe this app was rated 17 and up. So kids are shielded.
As far as the adults, big deal...you saw a dick. So swipe past all of them. Who cares. Are you that freaking sensitive? Wussies.
So the app is not geared towards sex and you just randomly find people to chat with that could be exposing themselves? Well if thats the case the browser might as well be removed too.
@Ed and @MikeT: so instead of sticking a passcode on your phone in this hypothetical situation, you expect someone else to do your parenting for you? You do realize mobile Safari will serve up photos of genitals just fine, right?
Awww man and I was thinking about showing how felching is really done! KIDDING!!!
Um did you not choose to download the app under your own will. Delete it if you have kids and move along. Choice is a good thing. So should the iphones browser be modified to regulated what can be displayed as well. God forbid your son or dauhter gets ahold of your phone and stumbles onto something you deam as inappropriate via the web.
so who will upload a copy, preferably properly [k]'d? on cydia?
Damn, I shaved my pubs for nothing then...
Good!
I'd agree, rather than trying punish the developer Apple needs to work with the developer to deal with people that are abusing the app.
@chris FaceTime is different. That's meant for calling people you know, so you would know if you were going to be exposed to something. The Chat-Roulette style doesn't work like that. It's random people you probably don't know. Believe it or not, some people actually use it for things other than seeing naked guys.
Can it before a Bernardo is born out of this kind of perversion
Simple, add a button to report user, when reported ichatr will send iPhone serial and last transmitted picture to apple.
Bam, iPhone disabled. Ichatr checks iPhone upon connecting vs blacklist.
Simple.
Keeps pervys scared and away.
I remember back when yahoo was the best alternative to IRC(early 90s). I remember having to hook a camcorder up to a video input card to have a 'webcam' and all of the java push apps associated.
This just shows you what most people are: douchebags!
@DataCentre I agree that a developer can't be held responsible, but the problem is that people hold APPLE responsible when things get out of control with these types of apps, so to avoid the problem, Apple doesn't serve it from their App Store
This app never worked for me anyway.
Scroll back to the day they posted the original post. I posted it would be pulled, underage and exposure.
You know...this is no different than having a web cam on your computer. Just a mobile version. A developer cannot be held responsible for another person's actions.
"Really Chris? So it’s ok that your daughter gets your iPhone and starts looking at men flashing themselves randomly? At least with FaceTime you know who your calling. I for one applaud the removal."
Well said!
Too bad the iphone lens isn't a wide angle lens. Otherwise I'd be all over it. Oh well, I'll stick to web cams for now...
There was significant shrinkage.
Saw this coming a mile away. The removal of the app is a good thing ya pervs.
For those who thinks this will stop the kid/ adults from doing it, it will just make them find more hardcore ways to get what they want...
Oh I saw this coming. Way to go on not disappointing me tween iOS users :(. What is it about video chat that makes these kids do these stupid things?
I knew that's not the Death Grip people were talking about earlier.
Some people express outrage before using common sense, I don't want to open up any app that I have to SWIPE ACROSS SOMEONES PENIS to be able to see the next person, it's outrageous that people abuse the app, and seeing as how their were a lot of complaints, I can see why it was pulled.
Really Chris? So it's ok that your daughter gets your iPhone and starts looking at men flashing themselves randomly? At least with FaceTime you know who your calling. I for one applaud the removal.
@Chris- "closing the app store"? I don't think so. Not with the kind of revenue it generates. Steve Jobs would be flashing his nuts on Chat Roulette before he closes the app store.
Does this mean that FaceTime is next?
Really, Apple - I understand the desire for morality but you have to come to your senses sometime. Next thing you know they'll be closing the app store. I know that sounds crazy, but you never know...
Like zintin did
Good thing I downloaded it when it was first released, I hope they don't shut it down
Aww this sucks I couldn't wait for me to get the white iPhone 4 to show my balls :/