Toby Atkin-Wright

Apple has, for the first time, published the guidelines it uses to determine whether apps should be admitted to the iOS App Store. They include these choice terms:

14.1 Any app that is defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited, or likely to place the targeted individual or group in harms way will be rejected
14.2 Professional political satirists and humorists are exempt from the ban on offensive or mean-spirited commentary

This raises two important questions: Why are “professional” satirists and humorists allowed to be offensive and mean-spirited, while we enthusiastic amateurs are not? And why is offensiveness and mean-spiritedness alright when meant satirically or humorously, but presumably not if meant seriously?

Apple has, for the first time, published the guidelines it uses to determine whether apps should be admitted to the iOS App Store. They include these choice terms:

14.1 Any app that is defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited, or likely to place the targeted individual or group in harms way will be rejected
14.2 Professional political satirists and humorists are exempt from the ban on offensive or mean-spirited commentary

This raises two important questions: Why are “professional” satirists and humorists allowed to be offensive and mean-spirited, while we enthusiastic amateurs are not? And why is offensiveness and mean-spiritedness alright when meant satirically or humorously, but presumably not if meant seriously?