Italy Demands Apple Store Ditch 'Offensive' App

There's more to Italy than the Mafia
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 30, 2010 8:28 AM CDT
Italy Demands Apple Store Ditch 'Offensive' App
iPhone apps - screen 4   (©love?janine)

Italy is home to many things, but a sense of humor may not be one of them. The country's tourism minister is demanding that Apple bar the "offensive and unacceptable" What Country app from its store, and has instructed lawyers to take legal action against its creators. The app, which sums up each country using words and images, describes Italy as the home of pizza, scooters, and the Mafia, the last of which is illustrated via an image of a "Mafia parking only" sign.

Though the app's description reads, "This is not a travel guide and should not be taken too seriously. Enjoy and have fun," the minister is taking it seriously. "I cannot allow our country to be discredited by having it represented by a criminal organization," she said. The app's description of the USA? Melting pot, hamburger, American dream, reports the Telegraph. (More iPhone apps stories.)

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