In a post from SlashGear today, some interesting features of Apple’s store policies were highlighted.

According to Marco Arment, an iPhone developer and lead behind the Tumblr project, Apple have decided that apps rated 17+ will not be able to use promo-codes.

It seems like adult content, and if you consider a 17+ rating adult content, then you’ll be happy. Basically though, lot’s of reviewers are dependent on promo codes to acquire, and test iPhone apps. If the rating system changes, and a whole heap of apps, that Apple assumes, may contain adult content.

So anything that may contravene these rules, may be excluded from the Promo code convention,

Twitter, RSS, Flickr, IM, social-networking, ebook reader or Tumblr client could, feasibly, be required to carry a 17+ rating, together with bearing a “this app can contain frequent nudity and drug use and violence and mature themes” warning

This may affect even more apps than people are speculating about, what about third party shooters? There are lot’s of game’s that will also fit this premise.

I’m always quite confused by policies like this, some how the legal department, gets in a huff, and the rules change. Is it panic , or relevant?  I’m all for keeping people safe online, especially young people, but will this policy change, stop the bevy of online reviews for iPhone apps?

In the long run, I feel that Apple are reactionary, fixing problems that they predict, before they happen. It’s called covering all of the bases, and Apple certainly seem to do that!

In the long run though, are they limiting the market for really good, useful apps, erring on the side of over cautious!???

Are Apple’s establishment morals, a hindrance for iPhone Devs, or is this a prudent development? Seems rather constrictive to me!

from TUAW