Trent Reznor, creator of Nine Inch Nails (one of my favorite bands), has posted a rant on the nin.com forum in response to Apple’s confusing rejection of the latest version of the “nin: access” iPhone application to the iTunes App Store. The program simply allows Nine Inch Nails fans to stay connected with nin.com and other fans.

Here’s Apple’s rejection letter…

From forum.nin.com:

Thank you for submitting nin: access to the App Store. We’ve reviewed nin: access and determined that we cannot post this version of your iPhone application to the App Store at this time because it contains objectionable content which is in violation of Section 3.3.12 from the iPhone SDK Agreement which states:

“Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple’s reasonable judgement may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users.”

The objectionable content referenced in this email is “The Downward Spiral”. Since the app is live on the App store, please make the necessary changes to the application as soon as possible, and resubmit your binary to iTunes Connect. Thank you

Regards,

iPhone Developer Program

Evidently the new version of the app linked to a podcast that featured a song from The Downward Spiral album that contained profanity or something otherwise “objectionable,” though Reznor isn’t quite sure since Apple’s letter is so vague. Ironically, you can purchase The Downward Spiral in the iTunes Music Store, profanity and all, so apparently it’s okay to buy the music, but not buy an app that lets you hear it.

Here is an excerpt from Trent Reznor’s response…

From forum.nin.com:

I’ll voice the same issue I had with Wal-Mart years ago, which is a matter of consistency and hypocrisy. Wal-Mart went on a rampage years ago insisting all music they carry be censored of all profanity and “clean” versions be made for them to carry. Bands (including Nirvana) tripped over themselves editing out words, changing album art, etc to meet Wal-Mart’s standards of decency – because Wal-Mart sells a lot of records. NIN refused, and you’ll notice a pretty empty NIN section at any Wal-Mart. My reasoning was this: I can understand if you want the moral posturing of not having any “indecent” material for sale – but you could literally turn around 180 degrees from where the NIN record would be and purchase the film “Scarface” completely uncensored, or buy a copy of Grand Theft Auto where you can be rewarded for beating up prostitutes. How does that make sense?

Reznor hilariously finishes the post with just a few more sentences that I can’t repost here and remain a (mainly) family-friendly blog. If you want to read it, click here… but don’t say I didn’t warn you if you read something “objectionable” by your own standards.