WHAT'S NEXT

Urge Apple Not to Market Prostitution App
  1. Signatures
    2,081 out of 2,500
    Petitioning
    1. CEO of Apple (Steve Jobs)
  2. Created By
    Diane Adams
    Lancaster, PA
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Jun 23, 2011

Over 1,000 Change.org members helped confirm that the Sugar Sugar app, which was sexist, heterosexist, and promoted prostitution is not approved for distribution in the Apple store. The campaign uncovered the false claims this company was making about being approved for Apple products.

Petition creator Diane Adams said "I am extremely pleased to learn that the SugarSugar app was not approved by Apple and will not be accessible on their devices.  The fact that SugarSugar lied about its approval in the first place blatantly indicates just what sort of unethical business it is.  Apple is to be commended for creating and upholding their high standards.  Also, the people at Change.org, especially Amanda Kloer, are to be commended for their support of the petition, and for uncovering the truth about SugarSugar's non-existant application."

Thanks to everyone who participated.

Beginning June 1st, Apple is planning to grant an app to SugarSugar in its App Store.  SugarSugar is not an ordinary dating service, introducing people who are seeking a future marriage partner.  Instead, it is “for generous men looking to spoil, and dynamic women looking for financial support with bills, or who just need some excitement in life”, according to SugarSugar’s site.  It will use GPS technology to instantly identify those seeking “mutually beneficial” arrangements within the user’s vicinity.  After “checking in”, the application will map out the profiles of nearby members.  Users will be able to trade stats, show photos or send messages to arrange an effortless rendezvous.In other words, this new app makes it easier for men to use positions of power to prey on vulnerable young women and minors, using them to fulfil their desire for sex.  It helps promote the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in our society today:  human trafficking.

Given that there are strict guidelines at Apple, including the rejection of apps that solicit, promote, or encourage criminal behavior, it is clear that the SugarSugar app is in violation of Apple’s own guidelines.  Since prostitution often includes the more heinous crime of human trafficking, Apple should, according to its own guidelines, have no choice but to immediately reject it.

Apple is known for its cutting-edge technology — not promotion of criminal activity.  Please sign the petition urging Apple to immediately retract its plan to allow SugarSugar to have an application for its products.

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Stop Promoting Prostitution and Human Trafficking—Retract SugarSugar App

Mr. Steve Jobs,

Beginning June 1st, Apple is planning to grant an app to SugarSugar in its App Store. SugarSugar is not an ordinary dating service, according to its web site. This new app makes it easier for men to use positions of power to prey on vulnerable young women and minors, using them to fulfil their desire for sex. It helps promote the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in our society today: human trafficking.

How did this app get approved by Apple? The company has strict guidelines that prevent such approvals, such as:
16.1 Apps that present excessively objectionable or crude content will be rejected.
18.1 Apps containing pornographic material, defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs of activities intended stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings," will be rejected
18.2 Apps that contain user generated content that is frequently pornographic (ex “Chat Roulette” apps) will be rejected.
22.1 Apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where they are made available to users. It is the developer’s obligation to understand and conform to all local laws.
22.3 Aps that solicit, promote, or encourage criminal or clearly reckless behavior will be rejected.

Given that the SugarSugar app clearly violates these criteria by promoting prostitution, a criminal behavior which often includes the more heinous crime of human trafficking, Apple should, according to its own guidelines, have no choice but to immediately reject it.

Apple is known for its cutting-edge technology — not promotion of criminal activity. We strongly and repectfully urge Apple to retract its plan to allow SugarSugar to have an application for its products.

[Your name]

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