Apple withdraws controversial mobile app

e14news — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 04:13:27 GMT

Current Revision posted to Documents by e14news on 10/8/2021 4:13:27 AM
In news that may interest wireless communication device users, Apple has confirmed that it has withdrawn a mobile phone application called Jewish or Not Jewish from its online store in France.

Using the application, Apple customers could find out whether celebrities and public figures were Jewish or not.

Unsurprisingly, though, the application has sparked outrage, with anti-racism group SOS Racisme saying it was illegal. French law, SOS Racisme said, did not allow the compilation of personal data without the individuals' consent.

However, developer Johann Levy, who is Jewish, defended the app, insisting that it was merely "recreational".

"I'm not a spokesman for all Jews, but as a Jew myself, I know that in our community we often ask whether such and such celebrity is Jewish or not," he told Le Parisien newspaper.

"For me, there's nothing pejorative about saying that someone is Jewish or not," Mr Levy added. "On the contrary, it's about being proud."

Posted by Simon Jones