In yet another App Store obliteration, Wi-Fi detection apps have been pulled from the App Store without exception. The word from Apple is that these apps, the type that actively scan for wireless networks, use “private frameworks” to locate hotspots, which is a violation of Apple’s terms of use.

“We received a very unfortunate email today from Apple stating that WiFi Where has been removed from sale on the App Store for using private frameworks to access wireless information,” said one developer. Apple declined to say more about the removal.

I think it’s odd that Apple would start to rigorously enforce rules without explanation when so many applications continue to slip through the cracks. The most obvious example is the “titillating content” Apple barred not so long ago, though exceptions were made for both Playboy and Sports Illustrated. As The Register points out, it could be Apple is attempting to streamline everything for the iPad launch, that perhaps the tools to make these apps work won’t be available on the tablet. Even then, why all the secrecy? Why not just say, “we don’t want people exploiting certain parts of our devices for personal use.”

Apple’s most recent app store rejection comes from an app named Eucalyptus. The app allows users to search for and download copyright-free books from Project Gutenberg. Apple’s beef? Eucalyptus allows users to download the Kama Sutra.

To be clear, the Kama Sutra does not come installed on the app, nor is it pre-coded into the application in anyway. To gain access to this “content some users may find objectionable,” a user actually has to search for and then download the book. Sort of like, you know, looking up porn on your iPhone. In Safari. That Apple app. To make matters even worse, Eucalyptus downloads a picture free version, so the only real crime is in the words you can potentially stumble upon suggesting methods for reaching sexual ecstasy.

Unfortunately, Eucalyptus isn’t the sort of app that can benefit from the easter egg exploit we mentioned earlier in the week. The app searches all of Project Gutenberg.

Source: CNet