PostSecret iPhone App Removed From App Store Due To Misuse
by Joe White
January 2, 2012
The PostSecret iPhone application that took the App Store by storm has now been removed due to misuse.
The application, which allowed users to post personal "secrets" and read posts written by others, was one of the best-selling iPhone apps back in September. However, in an article written by PostSecret's developer and published over at the service's website, "bad content" that was "overwhelming" for PostSecret's volunteer moderators to deal with is cited as the reason for the application's removal.
As explained in the article:
99% of the secrets created were in the spirit of PostSecret. Unfortunately, the scale of secrets was so large that even 1% of bad content was overwhelming for our dedicated team of volunteer moderators who worked 24 hours a day 7 days a week removing content that was not just pornographic but also gruesome and at times threatening. Bad content caused users to complain to me, Apple and the FBI. I was contacted by law enforcement about bad content on the App. Threats were made against users, moderators and my family. (Two specific threats were made that I am unable to talk about). As much as we tried, we were unable to maintain a bully-free environment. Weeks ago I had to remove the App from my daughter's phone.However, while the application is now closed, the PostSecret website is still open, and fans of the service are encouraged to "keep the true spirit of PostSecret alive" by mailing their secrets. Feel free to share your thoughts regarding PostSecret in the comments. [Thanks to Oliver and Peter for their tips!]
