The software developer disagrees with Apple’s decision.Īpple took steps last week to block an update of email app BlueMail because of concerns that a new AI feature in the app could show inappropriate content, according to Ben Volach, co-founder of BlueMail developer Blix Inc., and documents viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Volach told the WSJ that Apple had blocked the update.Īpple has delayed the approval of an email-app update with AI-powered language tools over concerns that it could generate inappropriate content for children, according to communications Apple sent to the app maker. The tech is powered by OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT chatbot. The latest BlueMail update includes AI features designed to pull text from past emails, in order to help you write new ones. Apple blocked ChatGPT-powered update to BlueMail The developer also previously filed a (frankly ridiculous) lawsuit, claiming that the Sign In With Apple feature infringed a patent held by the developer.

He said that the company told him the inclusion of AI-generated content required the use of a 17+ age restriction, to guard against minors being exposed to inappropriate content… BlueMail and Apple have historyīlueMail developer Blix doesn’t exactly have the best of relationships with Apple.īlix was, alongside Epic Games, one of the founding members of the Coalition for App Fairness, set up to fight the cut Apple takes from the App Store. It also points to the power that Apple and Google will have in moderating and controlling this fast-growing technology.BlueMail cofounder Ben Volach says that Apple blocked a ChatGPT-powered feature included in an update to the iOS app. This could be an early sign of the trouble developers will have proving their AI-powered apps are safe for younger users.

“If we’re required to be 17-plus, then others should also have to.”

“Apple is making it really hard for us to bring innovation to our users,” Volach told the Wall Street Journal, saying the company is unfairly targeting BlueMail. “Your app includes AI-generated content but does not appear to include content filtering at this time,” Apple’s app-review team wrote to the developer.īen Volach, co-founder of BlueMail developer Blix, doesn’t agree with the demand, and has challenged the rejection. Apple has blocked an email app that uses ChatGPT from its App Store over concerns it could generate inappropriate content for children.Įmail app BlueMail has been rejected from the App Store, and asked by Apple to enforce a 17+ rating before being allowed on the store.

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