The kerfuffle spread quite fast across tech and library blogs; Apple was censoring a comic because of some minor sexual content. “Unfortunately, because of two postage stamp–sized images of gay sex, Apple is banning tomorrow’s Saga #12 from being sold through any iOS apps,” wrote author Brian Vaughan on April 9. Only this turned out to be not quite accurate.
Apple didn’t censor anything. Comic book reader app maker ComiXology did the censoring. As CEO David Steinberger wrote the next day: “As a partner of Apple, we have an obligation to respect its policies for apps and the books offered in apps. Based on our understanding of those policies, we believed that Saga #12 could not be made available in our app, and so we did not release it today.”
But all ends well in this story. Steinberger’s post goes on to explain: “After hearing from Apple this morning, we can say that our interpretation of its policies was mistaken. You’ll be glad to know that Saga #12 will be available on our App Store app soon.”
This episode does help illustrate some of the difficulties that libraries face on a daily basis with digital content. When an ebook isn’t available or restrictions have been placed on usage, it can be hard to track down whether it is the distributor, publisher, or even the author (or author’s estate!) that have blocked access. The multiple platforms and terms of use that come into play can be quite confusing.