Apple blocked an update to its BlueMail email client that added the ChatGPT chatbot to its software, requiring the developer to first insert content filtering or age restrictions before it could be released.
That’s Apple’s policy on apps that create some form of AI-generated content. Apple app review (opens in a new tab) Division told Blix that because AI can create content that may be inappropriate for younger audiences, one of the two provisions above must be applied prior to release.
However, Ben Volach, co-founder of BlueMail developer Blix Inc., disputed Apple’s ruling, arguing that BlueMail already has content filtering and other apps on the App Store with similar AI capabilities have no age restrictions.
“Unfairly Targeted”
The new AI feature in BlueMail integrates the ever-popular OpenAI ChatGPT chatbot with an email client, allowing users to automate email writing. It uses previous emails and events on your calendar to make sure its content is relevant.
“Apple makes it very difficult for us to innovate for our users,” said Volach. According to WSJ (opens in a new tab)a spokesperson told them that the App Review Board is currently investigating a complaint from Blix.
Volach also claims that a test version of the updated version of the app was reviewed daily for a week before it was rejected by Apple. However, the Android version of the updated app was allowed on the Google Play store with no age restriction or content filtering.
He believes that BlueMail is an unfair target for Apple and that age restrictions will affect their ability to distribute the app to new users.
Apple appears to be more concerned about AI risks than other big tech companies. He has been conspicuously absent from the current arms race between Microsoft – a big OpenAI supporter who recently posted his chatbot models (opens in a new tab) into its search engine Bing – and Google, with the new rival chatbot Bard and its supposedly incredibly powerful artificial intelligence LamDA.
Perhaps it’s only a matter of time before he joins – w salary talk last month (opens in a new tab)Apple CEO Tim Cook said AI is “our main focus” – but for now, he seems to be keeping a close eye on AI in iOS apps.
Bing’s new AI-integrated smartphone app is limited to 17+ on the iPhone, while there is no limit to the Android version on the Google Play Store. Although a Microsoft spokesperson told the WSJ that this has always been the case due to its ability as a standard web browser to display adult content.
“We want justice,” Volach said. “If we are required to be 17, others should be too.”