Baby Shaker iPhone app removed, but what happens next time?

Apple Inc. removed the controversial "Baby Shaker" application two days after it appeared on the App Store following strong protests from child advocacy groups.

But the incident raised questions about how Apple and other companies screen applications for sale and whether the government or some other group needs to provide oversight.

The 99-cent application, created by Sikalosoft, allowed a user to silence a virtual screaming baby by shaking the iPhone. A sketch of a baby crying appeared until the user shook the phone, then red X's appeared over the baby's eyes.

One description of the application noted, "Never, never shake a baby." It also advised, "See how long you can endure his or her adorable cries before you just have to find a way to quiet the baby down."

Apple posted the application on Monday and removed it Wednesday night, just hours after the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, an advocacy group, and other groups issued statements condemning the application and calling for an apology from Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

Apple officials didn't respond to requests for comment from Computerworld, although the Associated Press reported an Apple spokewoman called the game "deeply offensive" and said it should not have been approved for sale. "We sincerely apologize for this mistake," the spokeswoman said.

Sarah Jane organizers said they planned a press conference in front of the Apple store in Manhattan Thursday afternoon, even though the application was already removed from the AppStore.

"Apple owes an apology to the family members of children who have been shaken and to the general public for making this tragedy into a joke and almost encouraging shaking a baby," said Jennipher Dickens, communications director at Sarah Jane, in an interview prior to the public protest. "Imagine if a child of 10 or 11 found this application as a way to shut up a baby. It's horrible and completely irresponsible."

Sikalosoft seems to be taking the bullet for Apple in this case, posting this comment on its Web site: "Okay, so maybe the Baby Shaker iPhone app was a bad idea. You should never shake a baby! Even on an Apple iPhone Baby Shaking application. No babies were harmed in the making of Baby Shaker." Sikalosoft.com was only registered today as a Web site, and the statement posted there could not be independently verified. However, many application developers work virtually.

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