Apple changes its mind on ‘pornographic’ ebook reader


26 May 2009

An ebook reader app called Eucalyptus, which was banned by a prudish Apple enforcer because it contained ancient Kama Sutra texts, has finally been cleared for download on the iTunes Apps Store.

The US$10 Eucalyptus app is a stylish ebook that allows readers to access 20,000 Project Gutenberg texts, including authentic ancient texts such as the Kama Sutra.

The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian text and work of Sanskrit literature which, while containing a good portion on sexual behaviour, is mainly intended as a manual for living a good and full spiritual life.

Unfortunately, an Apple enforcer more worried about people’s text lives than spiritual wellbeing refused to approve the Eucalyptus app for download via the iTunes Apps Store because of a reference to the Kama Sutra.

The banning of the Eucalyptus ebook reader for pornographic reasons led to a flurry of angry blog posts and tweets.

A chagrined Apple eventually relented and Eucalyptus is now available for download.

By John Kennedy