Apple has removed a dating app for the “COVID-19 unvaccinated” from the iOS App Store for failing to provide credible health information.
The app is called Unjected and markets itself as a “place to meet like-minded unvaccinated people.” But more controversially, the app also claims that the COVID-19 vaccines can be dangerous, despite evidence from US health authorities that show the vaccines are safe and effective at stopping COVID-19, which continues to spread across the globe.
Apple pulled the dating app last week after Bloomberg contacted the tech company about the content on Unjected. The app had recently added a social feed, where users could publish posts, including conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccines.
According to Bloomberg, the Unjected app broke iOS App Store rules by “inappropriately” referring to the “COVID-19 pandemic in its concept or theme.” Over a year ago, the company banned entertainment and game apps from using COVID-19 as a theme. Apple has also been working to ensure apps that refer to the pandemic do so by citing credible sources from the medical community or government.
Apple also told PCMag the Unjected app broke iOS app stores rules by encouraging its own users to avoid using certain words, such as “vaccine,” “jabbed,” and “microchip,” which might trigger scrutiny from the company. This amounted to trying to cheat the system, and led to the app’s removal.
However, the developers of Unjected claim they’re being censored. “We are a respectful movement of people who support their medical autonomy and freedom of choice. The policy’s [sic] go against our first amendment rights,” they said in an email.
The First Amendment protects people against government censorship. Private companies are free to develop their own policies and rules.
Unjected’s developers began complaining about the app removal on Instagram on Saturday. However, Instagram has since shut down Unjected’s account—which had 25,000 followers— likely due to spreading COVID-19 misinformation.
In Other News: TOUCHING SCENES FROM SHONA FERGUSON’S FUNERAL: CONNIE FERGUSON AND THEIR DAUGHTER ALI SPOTTED
As his funeral is still underway, condolences continue to pour in for Shona Ferguson following his passing due to Covid-19 related complications.
Heartbroken fans, colleagues, and followers continue to show their concern to Mr Sho’s family and friends. With the #ConnieFerguson trending on Twitter, thousands of comforting shower in for his wife, actress Connie Ferguson, and family as. Learn more
