Apple Pulls WikiLeaks iPhone App


Apple has removed a WikiLeaks app from the iTunes App Store.

A couple of days ago, I reported that an iPhone and iPad app had been launched in the Apple App Store to keep you up-to-date with the latest WikiLeak disclosures. It would also automatically transfer you to mirror websites as WikiLeak sites were closed down. Within 24-hours of its release, the app reached No1 App Store download in 15 countries.


The app has now disappeared. And its developer, Igor Barinov, has confirmed it was pulled by Apple, but no reason was given.


Apple is the latest in a long list of organisations withdrawing support to the WikiLeaks organisation, including Amazon, PayPal, Mastercard, Visa and Bank of America.

It's by no means clear what rules the app may have broken - except the developers said a $1 donation would be made to WikiLeaks for each download of the $1.99/£1.19 app. Apple could use this as a reason for its decision.

It would be interesting to see what happens if the app is resubmitted with no donation pledge.

Update: the developer says the WikiLeaks app was downloaded 4,434 times and $4,434 will be donated to the organisation. He says Germany was the top download country. 

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Comments

Anonymous said…
Yeah. Drop the $1 donation and resubmit.