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This is frankly getting ridiculous. I don't use any NSFW Discord servers nor do I intend to, but the level to which Apple (tries to) moderate user generated con

This is frankly getting ridiculous. I don't use any NSFW Discord servers nor do I intend to, but the level to which Apple (tries to) moderate user generated content is concerning. What's next? Is Apple Mail going to helpfully filter any email it deems NSFW? I currently use an Android phone and wanted to go back to iOS, because I just preferred the overall experience, but this might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me.

NazakiAid 6y ago
Was thinking of maybe giving an iPhone (ideally jailbroken) a go in the future because of all the work they are doing for privacy, and then they pull this. Definately too controlling for my liking (not that I use Discord NSFW servers but it's a slippery slope). Will stick to Android and hopefully root to add privacy instead.
- Cu3PO42 6y ago
  I used to Jailbreak any of my iOS devices, but I found that iOS has gotten good enough, that I really don't needed any of the tweaks and what not anymore. Overall I really really like the iOS experiences. Privacy is a different concern. The mail app pre-installed on my Samsung phone wanted me to agree to a EULA that lets them process any of my mail. I also find that unacceptable, so I found a different mail client I liked and I did the same thing with the entire phone, basically. It's possible, but it's just no annoying and not something I really want to be dealing with. It seems like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place. (Yes, I am well aware of the Librem and other such noble efforts, but I can also begrudgingly admit that I'm just not willing to put up with their flaws either.)
  - yjftsjthsd-h 6y ago
    You don't need to go full librem; get a moto g with an official lineage os port, add gapps if needed, add magisk to taste, done.
    - Cu3PO42 6y ago
      I might, but I've had mediocre experiences with custom images in the past, even with officially supported Cyanogen versions. Something would randomly break and only a reflash would fix it. Has this gotten better? I used to love tinkering, but my phone has become nothing more than a tool and I need it to just work. If I forego Magisk and other root-related tools, can I expect mobile banking and such to just work? EDIT: Seems I can't reply to a reply to this. (Does HN have a depth limit?) I am aware, Cyanogen hasn't been a thing for some time, hence my question: has the situation genuinely improved since then? I would like to avoid buying a phone just to see if it would work for me.
      - YuccaGloriosa 6y ago
        It hasn't been Cyanogenmod for 4 years. Maybe need to take a fresh look.
      - crtasm 6y ago
        LineageOS has been great for me, many OTA minor version upgrades and at least 3 major version upgrades have all gone smoothly. However at some point an update to my bank's app made it refuse to run citing insecure device - it's not rooted so this was a little surprising. I don't know how common that is, no experience with other banks.
        Cu3PO42 6y ago
        Appreciate the feedback! Maybe I will take another go at it.
- why_Mr_Anderson 6y ago
  If Apple made an iPhone version with 3.5 jack, i'd throw my Samsung out of the window (literally) in a second. I have no interest to replace my 300euro or so headphones with their Bluetooth garbage.
  - myrandomcomment 6y ago
    A 3.5 jack to lightning connect converter cost maybe $5. I have a set of mixed devices, some with and some without a 3.5 jack. I bought a few of these converters and just toss them in the headset cases (of which I also have a few).
    - why_Mr_Anderson 6y ago
      Of course there is a way, but to be honest, I'm tired of dongles and converters and cables and chargers and such. I have so many of them.
- skrowl 6y ago
  If you think iOS lockdown is bad on adult stuff, wait until I tell you what they do to web browsers (must just skin safari webkit, not have their own engine), emulators (not allowed in app store), launcher apps (not allowed in app store), etc. If you're so worried about privacy on Android that you'd consider jumping to closed source Apple iOS, consider buying a OnePlus (or other supported) device and then installing LineageOS or another fully open source OS. You don't have to use stock Android and many of the custom OS / ROMs have 0 ties to Google / don't install Google service / etc.
- g_p 6y ago
  If you go Android, definitely take a look at userspace firewall options. I like and use NetGuard, it's open source, and all done through the local VPN API (no traffic leaves device) - gives you control of which apps can go online. If you install it from GitHub (rather than the play store, no root required either way), it can do local DNS host blocking too.
vbezhenar 6y ago
Reddit has switch for NSFW content and I can browse porn reddits from the app just fine. I don't see why Discord should be different. Unless there's more to this story, that decision was made by Discord, not Apple.
- croon 6y ago
  If it was made by Discord, it would be very unlikely to be made specifically for iOS.
- Cu3PO42 6y ago
  I find this unlikely. Discord has an interest in keeping as many communities as possible on its platform. If they had moral concerns with NSFW content on mobile devices they could have made the same change on Android. And this wouldn't be the first time Apple doesn't apply its rules equally to everyone.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
- darklion 6y ago
  My guess is that because it's possible to access adult material, Apple requires a higher age rating on the App Store than Discord would like. For instance, both the Reddit and Apollo apps are rated 17+. There's nothing "adult" about them, except that it can access adult subreddits. So by banning adult channels, Discord is likely looking to drop the age rating on their app. A 12+ or 9+ would be more appealing and potentially allow them a broader audience, especially when trying to target the teen crowd which may have parental filters enabled on their phones.
  - nullspace 6y ago
    I think there's some misinformation in your replies about how this rating can be used. As a parent, you can add screen time restrictions to your child's phone that prevent them from accessing apps that are above a certain rating. This is a very powerful feature, that's really hard (impossible?) to bypass without social engineering. It's possible that discord is concerned enough with this so as to block out nsfw servers. Do they have a lot of teenagers on their platform?
somesortofsystm 6y ago
I concur that Apples culture-grasp is really disconcerting. Although I have made a living in the mobile industry for years and years now, I am personally quite happy at the moment to be middle the move from Android and iOS to PinePhone. Nobody controls my content on that device but me. It might be rocky, but the minimalism of Pine and its ecosphere represent, is refreshing - in light of the endless, endless tracking, deceit and plain uselessness of iOS and Android apps, in spite of it all. It might be time for us all to reset our expectations and go back to a 100% open, compiler-onboard platform. I think PinePhone, and others just like that, are ripe for the attempt ..
fukmbas 6y ago
Android is and always will be superior. Nothing has changed since the Apple vs Microsoft debates of the 90s... I'm happy I've avoided Apple for 35 years.
zyphr 6y ago
Next is apple implementing a "bend the knee to unlock" sensor in a future iphone.
roody15 6y ago
If you haven’t noticed the internet morphed into TV 3.0 over last few years. Don’t worry our corporate friends will let us know what is trending, what topics we should discus, and keep us safe!!!
amelius 6y ago
Apple's garden is really starting to look a lot like Disney World. I prefer the real world.
mhuffman 6y ago
Cue tons of people claiming that they "love the freedom" of being able to use discord without swear words!
Layke1123 6y ago
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on moderation. I am under the impression you do believe in some amount of moderation no? I mean, I definitely don't want to get on a platform that is sharing graphic videos of people dying without at least a warning or disclosure, and I'm also a fan of outright banning users who distribute child pornography. I'm curious if you believe in any moderation, or if it should just be the wild west online?
g_p 6y ago
In addition to mail, perhaps they need to modify WebKit to refuse to render any pixels from the open internet that might potentially be NSFW?
baxuz 6y ago
I currently use an Android phone and wanted to go back to iOS, because I just preferred the overall experience, but this might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me. Same here. I'm tired of Android's wonkiness but this is a showstopper.

NazakiAid 6y ago

Was thinking of maybe giving an iPhone (ideally jailbroken) a go in the future because of all the work they are doing for privacy, and then they pull this. Definately too controlling for my liking (not that I use Discord NSFW servers but it's a slippery slope). Will stick to Android and hopefully root to add privacy instead.

Cu3PO42 6y ago
I used to Jailbreak any of my iOS devices, but I found that iOS has gotten good enough, that I really don't needed any of the tweaks and what not anymore. Overall I really really like the iOS experiences. Privacy is a different concern. The mail app pre-installed on my Samsung phone wanted me to agree to a EULA that lets them process any of my mail. I also find that unacceptable, so I found a different mail client I liked and I did the same thing with the entire phone, basically. It's possible, but it's just no annoying and not something I really want to be dealing with. It seems like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place. (Yes, I am well aware of the Librem and other such noble efforts, but I can also begrudgingly admit that I'm just not willing to put up with their flaws either.)
- yjftsjthsd-h 6y ago
  You don't need to go full librem; get a moto g with an official lineage os port, add gapps if needed, add magisk to taste, done.
  - Cu3PO42 6y ago
    I might, but I've had mediocre experiences with custom images in the past, even with officially supported Cyanogen versions. Something would randomly break and only a reflash would fix it. Has this gotten better? I used to love tinkering, but my phone has become nothing more than a tool and I need it to just work. If I forego Magisk and other root-related tools, can I expect mobile banking and such to just work? EDIT: Seems I can't reply to a reply to this. (Does HN have a depth limit?) I am aware, Cyanogen hasn't been a thing for some time, hence my question: has the situation genuinely improved since then? I would like to avoid buying a phone just to see if it would work for me.
    - YuccaGloriosa 6y ago
      It hasn't been Cyanogenmod for 4 years. Maybe need to take a fresh look.
    - crtasm 6y ago
      LineageOS has been great for me, many OTA minor version upgrades and at least 3 major version upgrades have all gone smoothly. However at some point an update to my bank's app made it refuse to run citing insecure device - it's not rooted so this was a little surprising. I don't know how common that is, no experience with other banks.
      - Cu3PO42 6y ago
        Appreciate the feedback! Maybe I will take another go at it.
why_Mr_Anderson 6y ago
If Apple made an iPhone version with 3.5 jack, i'd throw my Samsung out of the window (literally) in a second. I have no interest to replace my 300euro or so headphones with their Bluetooth garbage.
- myrandomcomment 6y ago
  A 3.5 jack to lightning connect converter cost maybe $5. I have a set of mixed devices, some with and some without a 3.5 jack. I bought a few of these converters and just toss them in the headset cases (of which I also have a few).
  - why_Mr_Anderson 6y ago
    Of course there is a way, but to be honest, I'm tired of dongles and converters and cables and chargers and such. I have so many of them.
skrowl 6y ago
If you think iOS lockdown is bad on adult stuff, wait until I tell you what they do to web browsers (must just skin safari webkit, not have their own engine), emulators (not allowed in app store), launcher apps (not allowed in app store), etc. If you're so worried about privacy on Android that you'd consider jumping to closed source Apple iOS, consider buying a OnePlus (or other supported) device and then installing LineageOS or another fully open source OS. You don't have to use stock Android and many of the custom OS / ROMs have 0 ties to Google / don't install Google service / etc.
g_p 6y ago
If you go Android, definitely take a look at userspace firewall options. I like and use NetGuard, it's open source, and all done through the local VPN API (no traffic leaves device) - gives you control of which apps can go online. If you install it from GitHub (rather than the play store, no root required either way), it can do local DNS host blocking too.

vbezhenar 6y ago

Reddit has switch for NSFW content and I can browse porn reddits from the app just fine. I don't see why Discord should be different. Unless there's more to this story, that decision was made by Discord, not Apple.

croon 6y ago
If it was made by Discord, it would be very unlikely to be made specifically for iOS.
Cu3PO42 6y ago
I find this unlikely. Discord has an interest in keeping as many communities as possible on its platform. If they had moral concerns with NSFW content on mobile devices they could have made the same change on Android. And this wouldn't be the first time Apple doesn't apply its rules equally to everyone.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
darklion 6y ago
My guess is that because it's possible to access adult material, Apple requires a higher age rating on the App Store than Discord would like. For instance, both the Reddit and Apollo apps are rated 17+. There's nothing "adult" about them, except that it can access adult subreddits. So by banning adult channels, Discord is likely looking to drop the age rating on their app. A 12+ or 9+ would be more appealing and potentially allow them a broader audience, especially when trying to target the teen crowd which may have parental filters enabled on their phones.
- nullspace 6y ago
  I think there's some misinformation in your replies about how this rating can be used. As a parent, you can add screen time restrictions to your child's phone that prevent them from accessing apps that are above a certain rating. This is a very powerful feature, that's really hard (impossible?) to bypass without social engineering. It's possible that discord is concerned enough with this so as to block out nsfw servers. Do they have a lot of teenagers on their platform?

somesortofsystm 6y ago

I concur that Apples culture-grasp is really disconcerting. Although I have made a living in the mobile industry for years and years now, I am personally quite happy at the moment to be middle the move from Android and iOS to PinePhone. Nobody controls my content on that device but me. It might be rocky, but the minimalism of Pine and its ecosphere represent, is refreshing - in light of the endless, endless tracking, deceit and plain uselessness of iOS and Android apps, in spite of it all. It might be time for us all to reset our expectations and go back to a 100% open, compiler-onboard platform. I think PinePhone, and others just like that, are ripe for the attempt ..

fukmbas 6y ago

Android is and always will be superior. Nothing has changed since the Apple vs Microsoft debates of the 90s... I'm happy I've avoided Apple for 35 years.

zyphr 6y ago

Next is apple implementing a "bend the knee to unlock" sensor in a future iphone.

roody15 6y ago

If you haven’t noticed the internet morphed into TV 3.0 over last few years. Don’t worry our corporate friends will let us know what is trending, what topics we should discus, and keep us safe!!!

amelius 6y ago

Apple's garden is really starting to look a lot like Disney World. I prefer the real world.

mhuffman 6y ago

Cue tons of people claiming that they "love the freedom" of being able to use discord without swear words!

Layke1123 6y ago

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on moderation. I am under the impression you do believe in some amount of moderation no? I mean, I definitely don't want to get on a platform that is sharing graphic videos of people dying without at least a warning or disclosure, and I'm also a fan of outright banning users who distribute child pornography. I'm curious if you believe in any moderation, or if it should just be the wild west online?

g_p 6y ago

In addition to mail, perhaps they need to modify WebKit to refuse to render any pixels from the open internet that might potentially be NSFW?

baxuz 6y ago

I currently use an Android phone and wanted to go back to iOS, because I just preferred the overall experience, but this might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me. Same here. I'm tired of Android's wonkiness but this is a showstopper.