Apple users complain over MobileMe 'censorware'

[krispos42]

Apple users complain over MobileMe 'censorware'

EU crisis emails null rooted by Cupertino

By John Leyden

Posted in Security, 6th July 2011 08:00 GMT

Apple has reportedly begun the filtering of outbound messages sent via its MobileMe service.

The fruity one has applied inbound filtering to inbound emails as a precaution against spam since last year. Last month, however, it began filtering messages that users sent using the service – for questionable reasons.

The upshot is that whatever email client a MobileMe user uses, their message will be blocked without notification, reportedly even if the offending content in question contains mild political criticism.

Reg reader Mike Conley, who was the first to tell us of the problem, said that one of three offending messages he sent was blocked because it mentioned the phrase "growing hostility against Frankfurt and Brussels". An email about civil unrest in Greece about the sovereign debt crisis/austerity budget was also dropped. Conley realised there was a problem because he sends messages to himself via bcc. He complained and one of the offending messages was transmitted only for the problem to reappear days later.

<more>

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07/06/mobileme_censorware_row/

So what does this mean? It's Apple, so it would seem to be a Big Fucking Deal, especially since a lot of the mobile email goes through iPhones.

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Over-priced, over-controlled, over-praised

Never like Apple and never will.

[MineralMan]

2. Yet another reason to avoid Apple products.

I've been successful in doing that since 1984, and I believe I'll be able to hold out for the rest of my life.

[onehandle]

3. Ooh! A tech news site posted a thread on some tech forum as news and fact.

Journamalism.

And people will eat it up because Apple is involved.

[krispos42]

4. I'm not here to Apple-bash

I don't use their products except my iPod Nano and iTunes, but I don't bash them, either.