Apple has removed an iPhone and iPad app that allowed users to view leaked diplomatic cables and other content from the WikiLeaks site. The $1.99 app was taken down on Monday with little fanfare, but Apple's move was noted and publicized by tech blogs. An Apple spokesperson eventually said the app violated the company's developer guidelines, but some are accusing the company of censorship. In recent weeks, companies including Amazon, PayPal, Visa and Mastercard have all started denying services to WikiLeaks. Why did Apple remove the WikiLeaks apps? (Watch a Fox Business report about Apple's move)
Censorship, pure and simple: Apple has never been one to "tolerate much controversial content in its precious app store," says Andy Greenberg in Forbes, so it's no surprise that this app has been banned. It looks like WikiLeaks is becoming a "free speech litmus test" — and it's already shown "just how little the likes of Apple" care about the First Amendment.
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