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PostSecret Pulls Popular App Over ‘Gruesome,‘ ’Threatening,’ & ‘Pornographic’ Content

PostSecret Pulls iPhone App

The popular, anonymous secret-telling project PostSecret has pulled its popular iPhone app after it couldn’t keep up with the “gruesome,“ ”threatening,“ and even ”pornographic” content users were submitting.

“99% of the secrets created were in the spirit of PostSecret,” founder Frank Warren wrote on the PostSecret blog. “Unfortunately, the scale of secrets was so large that even 1% of bad content was overwhelming for our dedicated team of volunteer moderators who worked 24 hours a day 7 days a week removing content that was not just pornographic but also gruesome and at times threatening.

“Bad content caused users to complain to me, Apple and the FBI. I was contacted by law enforcement about bad content on the App. Threats were made against users, moderators and my family. (Two specific threats were made that I am unable to talk about). As much as we tried, we were unable to maintain a bully-free environment. Weeks ago I had to remove the App from my daughter’s phone.”

The concept for PostSecret, as explained on its website, “is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.” Warren then posts them on the website or complies them for coffee table-like books:

PostSecret Pulls iPhone App

The app, however, gave users the opportunity to submit their secrets electronically. But due to abuse by some users — and the inability to keep up wihith a screening process — that option is now gone.

“Deciding to remove the App from the App Store last week and holding back the release of the Android version cost us money but we feel it was the right thing to do,” Warren said.

PostSecret Pulls iPhone App

Now, secrets will have to be told via snail mail.

“Thanks for helping to keep the true spirit of PostSecret alive by mailing your secrets in 2012.”

Comments (34)

  • futureglory
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 4:56pm

    As far as Obama causing this. No. BUT, and even though I’m not a huge Bush supporter, it looks like Bush was the last man standing before the slope became very steep. You know, passing legislation that we‘ll find out about after it’s passed. The justice department not defending marriage etc. etc. and the list IS extensive. Man in general is morally depraved. What then is it that keeps a society together? Think.

    Report Post »  
  • redsred
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:45pm

    all of this “social site” crap is understandable among young people. their parents never gave them any training in self confidence and they are compelled to find approval somewhere. today’s parents should be aware and counter this immediately. the result of failure will be more disgusting. as for adults who are compelled to bare themselves in social sites, grow up, get a life, try accomplishment and acceptance of responsibility. never mind………… you’re already incapable.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:50pm

    In a Free Society… all Information & Knowledge… should be available… to All The People.

    In a Fascist Society… Limits & Restrictions… are placed upon Everything!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • PIL
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:04pm

      I agree, but you do realize that most of our free speech now takes places in private property. For example, this is TheBlaze, if the moderators find my comments offensive and others complain (or not), my comment can be deleted and my account can be terminated.
      http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/

      Report Post » PIL  
    • theaveng
      Posted on January 3, 2012 at 7:48am

      Rather than yank the App, he could have just switched-over to 100% moderation. That way nothing could slip past, because nothing would be published until seen by a moderator.

      .

      Report Post »  
  • patricius
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:58pm

    “But do to abuse by some users …”

    “Do,” huh? Seriously, hire a copy editor. I bet a lot of capable folks here would even volunteer.

    Report Post » patricius  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:55pm

    try not to look how horrifically America has rapidly -and so publicly- degenerated in just these last 3 years under obama’s encouragement — he is like a horrible cancer, he’s destroying America. 11 more months to go.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • Amica
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:42pm

      I am not by any stretch an Obama supporter. But you cannot blame the degeneration of American society and culture on him. It’s been going on a lot longer than three years.

      Hmmm….I wonder if you’re yet another plant intended to make Blaze readers and/or Beck supporters look bad?

      Report Post » Amica  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:32pm

    Humanity has reached it’s APEX of evolution…it’s all downhill from here.

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
  • Jennifer_D
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:46am

    I have loved Sunday secrets for a long time, but have noticed that the quality of secrets selected has changed. They have went from thought-provoking and inspiring to nasty, vulgar, and sometimes just stupid. There are also instances where they have been overtly political and that sets a tone that PostSecret may have a certain agenda.

    The PostSecret application was well-intended, but even if they had made it available for BB I wouldn’t have downloaded it. There is nothing anonymous about sending secrets to an application. It defeats the purpose of sharing what is supposed to be a secret. I also thought that the secrets created using the application were of a lesser quality that those that are mailed in.

    The whole intention of PostSecret was that secrets are mailed in and shared on the blog. The application was about making $$$. Maybe now the focus can return to posting weekly secrets on the blog and the occasional PostSecret book.

    Report Post » Jennifer_D  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:38am

    “But do to abuse … ” Do? Try “due.” Public schools have done great damage to our people!!!! Or maybe it was just a typo :-)

    Report Post » BeingThere  
    • drobarts
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:42am

      Do own a red pen and go around grading everyones papers, or are you just in love with yourself and want everyone to see how smart you are?

      Report Post » drobarts  
    • jcannon98188
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:18pm

      @drobarts

      “Do (you) own a” …..

      You forgot to type the word “you” in that sentence. Fixed.

      Report Post »  
  • drobarts
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:37am

    Most entertainment on the net is designed for people who have no life or are of low character and self worth.

    Report Post » drobarts  
  • Mrs. Bowers
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:02am

    They’re a lot of sick people out there. We need Jesus in America.

    Report Post »  
  • CulperGang
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:47am

    degeneracy in a freeworld. well yeah, it is called freedom of choice. PARENTS did not guide in the right direction of the road of life…….as in Left(degenerate) Right(moral virtues).

    Dumbed down? Joe Paglia is filling in for Beck. He is calling Paul a hypocrite in not so many words because Paul would stand for the 10th Amendment over Abortion. Shows Pags lack of KNOWLEDGE of the CONSTITUTION.
    If the majority of states public wants abortion then 10th Amendent supersedes Federal Law, as per the Constitution. As POTUS Paul does not supersedes 10th Amend, no matter how he is against abortion. Hence state A might chose abortion, whereas state B may not. AS PER THE CONSTITUTION. Pags is going on and on and on with his flawed logic trashing Paul. I don’t mind if TRUTH is said about Paul but annihilating him to thousands who knows less than Pags…….IS PROPAGANDA not good radio journalism. Radio turned off.!

    Report Post » CulperGang  
    • privacyina9m80
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:40pm

      Joe Pags is such a hack.

      One of the few conservative talk show hosts I can’t bring myself to listen to. Too obnoxious or dumbed-down.

      He’s almost as bad as Laura Ingraham.

      Report Post »  
  • RRFlyer
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:30am

    I would just like to point out some reasons. It’s because of the dumming down brought on by the internet. Even a so called “professional” publication like the blaze said, <<>>

    It is “DUE” to, not ‘do to’. And even the editor didn’t catch it. Thanks for helping spread the ignorance.

    Report Post »  
  • ConservativeChristianB1954
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:16am

    Good grief (shakes head) nothing surprises me anymore.

    Report Post » ConservativeChristianB1954  
  • On The Bayou
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:14am

    I find that in the begining the Blaze kept my attention and I looked forward to having some coffee in the morning and check out the latest news. In the last few months I find it hard to be interested in what is now the news here.

    Report Post » On The Bayou  
  • PA PATRIOT
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:58am

    I must live in a different world.
    Where does all this perverse information derive?
    Keep strong the faith that this will change and we are not governed by the perverse as during the rule of Caligula.

    The reign of Caligula
    “Surviving sources present a number of stories about Caligula that illustrate cruelty and insanity.

    The contemporary sources, Philo of Alexandria and Seneca the Younger, describe an insane emperor who was self-absorbed, angry, killed on a whim, and who indulged in too much spending and sex.[93] He is accused of sleeping with other men’s wives and bragging about it,[94] killing for mere amusement,[95] deliberately wasting money on his bridge, causing starvation,[96] and wanting a statue of himself erected in the Temple of Jerusalem for his worship.[90] Once at some games at which he was presiding, he ordered his guards to throw an entire section of the crowd into the arena during intermission to be eaten by animals because there were no criminals to be prosecuted and he was bored.[97]”
    Wikipedia

    Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • randy
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:59am

      @PA PATRIOT
      I must live in a different world.
      Where does all this perverse information derive?

      Where? In our schools!
      You know, The place where students are prohibited to pass out candy canes,
      or ride to school with an American Flag on your bicycle, but teachers and
      administrators pass out condoms, and soon, like Canada will
      have Free Crack Pipe days. Oh and don’t forget, the Schools having stick
      your tongue down the throat of your Mommy or Daddy Days.

      America is going to HeII and the majority of good people do nothing to stop it.

      Report Post » randy  
  • THXll38
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:57am

    There sure is a lot of sick out there.

    http://postsecretarchive.com/

    Report Post » THXll38  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:55am

    Its not a secret if you tell it to the world morons, its a revealation….

    Report Post »  

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