Apple Blocks Update to AI-Powered Email App Over Fears of Inappropriate Content

Apple is said to have blocked an update to an email app with AI-powered tools due to worries that it may generate inappropriate content for children. According to the Wall Street Journal, the iPhone maker had reservations about Blix's BlueMail app, which uses a customized version of OpenAI's GPT-3 language model.

The update was blocked last week, and Ben Volach, the co-founder of Blix, called out Apple for unfairly targeting BlueMail in a Twitter post. He pointed out that the app has content filtering capabilities and argued that placing age restrictions on the app could limit distribution potential for new users.

As per the report, Apple asked developer Blix if they could put “age gates” or other controls to restrict access to inappropriate content on its platform. Furthermore, when contacted by WSJ regarding their decision, an Apple spokesperson noted that apps must comply with local laws and their own App Store guidelines, including those related to user-generated content, such as messages sent via chat features within apps like BlueMail, before they approve them.

The issue underscores how technology companies increasingly grapple with issues such as age gate enforcement and moderating user-generated content on their platforms amid concerns over child safety online. Companies such as Google have recently announced plans for introducing more stringent rating systems for some mobile games based on factors like violence levels or whether players are gambling with real money within them.

Conclusion

While no official statement has been given by either company yet about why exactly this particular update was rejected, both sides will likely be working together closely going forward to ensure compliance with all applicable rules while still allowing developers enough freedom to create innovative products and services powered by new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).