Apple refuses App Store approval for South Park

by Stevie Smith - Feb 18 2009, 16:00

Those iPhone users left disgruntled by the pseudo nanny-state grip exerted on the App Store by Apple Inc. are likely to be left gnashing their collective teeth at news that the Cupertino-based gadget giant has refused store approval for an official South Park application.

Initially offered up for App Store inclusion by the creators of the long-running television show back in October of 2008, the South Park application would have provided access to specific show content directly through the touch-screen iPhone handset.

However, South Park Digital Studios has revealed a number of App Store approval attempts were met by a brick wall, with Apple labelling the application’s content as “potentially offensive” due to the animated show’s acerbic blend of satire, parody, and social commentary. 

“At this point, we are sad to say, the app is dead in the water,” said the studio via its official online blog. “Sorry, South Park fans.”

While App Store access appears firmly closed off for South Park, the blog announcement made earlier this week by the show’s creators at least hinted that Apple has left the door slightly ajar for possible future approval.

Specifically, the trend-setting electronics titan has said, “standards would evolve,” on the App Store, which, according to a report on Information Week, suggests the issuing of an eventual green light – much in the same way iTunes initially did not carry music with adult content but relaxed its boundaries over time.

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