Why Did Tapas banned the word "kiss" from the app?

[Mallory]

Uuuhhh I’m gonna need a bit more citation on that “it’s an app store thing” statement, considering you can download Radish on the Apple Store, which is a popular app-only erotica platform (and yes there’s queer stuff there too)… and Alpha/Omega is a predictably popular theme.

Only thing I can think of is you do set the age level your app is appropriate for, so perhaps if you want it to be lower than 17+, the restrictions are a lot more harsh. But considering it’s tied to parental controls, I’m… not surprised?

[joannekwan]

It was explained to me that apps like Radish get a pass since their content is paid for, so it's easier to gate who can access those titles. It's not as public as free user-generated-content.

[VibrantFox]

Tapas is set as being a 13+ platform tho right so i figure its that coming into play again with app store rulings?

[darthmongoose]

The search is not limited on browser Tapas, only on the app.

....Unfortunately about 90% of all Tapas users primarily use the app.

[Mallory]

Radish is set up like tapas, except all creators have immediate control over their monetization options. So they can make it free, paid, or wait-for-free. I’m sure most opt for the $$$ option but it’s not paid by default.

ETA: granted I got this info from a Radish writer, so maybe that’s not true?

[joannekwan]

That would probably also play a large part in how apple audits their apps

[aqua03]

Well, time to boot up the old Kickstarter and get that indiie game going.

Also Grind/Kill sounds like the title of an edgy battle royale anime taking place in an MMO.

[UrMom]

Actually, the app has always been 17+, but the issue is it's free to download. Kids under the age rating can still download it without any issue, so that's probably why Apple is so stingy.

Edit: Totally why I joined originally, and why they allowed M-rated comics like mine to begin with.

Also Grind/Kill sounds like the title of an edgy battle royale anime taking place in an MMO.

Lol getting some Kill La Kill meets MMO RPG vibes.

[aqua03]

A Studio TRIGGER take on the "Trapped in an MMO" genre would be awesome, actually.

[AxemanRifflord]

the app has always been 17+, but the issue is it's free to download. Kids under the age rating can still download it without any issue,

Huh, I wonder who’s fault is that. If only the App Store was run and moderated by people with the power to decide what content is available on the store and for whom.

[Zugaikotsu]

Why Webtoons hasnt changed, tho?

[Zugaikotsu]

This "app store" excuse makes no sense. I just checked on Webtoons and I can find all the kisses, sorry.

[Zugaikotsu]

All edgelords are sl*ts and we know it

[joannekwan]

They're a much bigger platform and generates the app stores more money. They might be affected later down the line but it's my guess apple doesn't care to bother with them to such an extent since they're such a money-maker.

[Zugaikotsu]

Till now they adopted the same rules, even before Tapas, tho. Tapas isnt a small platform, even tho isnt as big as WT.

[joannekwan]

Tapas might be the first since we have novels and WT doesn't. Who knows how apple operates their audits and what provokes them in the first place.

But honestly I highly doubt this is Tapas' plan, because shadowbanning an innocent word like Kiss from the app search is just shooting themselves in the foot.

[Zugaikotsu]

They dont have novels, but they have wattpad, and the kisses are alright, there. And shooting themselves on the foot is something tapas does every now and then.

[KilljoyConstruct]

I almost snorted my instant noodles while reading this, thank you for making me laugh

[joannekwan]

Wattpad is also a big money-maker for app stores I reckon. It's like those awful obscene ads that play on youtube and apps where the content surely doesn't follow guidelines imposed on creators, but the ads make money and so get a pass.

And I'm not saying Tapas hasn't made mistakes in the past, but this decision would just be illogical on Tapas' end considering Kiss it Better is one of the biggest novels on the platform.

[Zugaikotsu]

I researched some smaller apps, as well. 3, till now. One for WebComics app's novels, other for "Popink" and one solely for officially translated danmei (chinese BL). Got them all in apple store, and all have their 'kisses' operating well, in spite of the usual chinese censorship.

Btw, I haven't found anything official about this ban in apple store anywhere.