FAQ Friday: Why doesn’t Covenant Eyes have accountability software for the iPhone?
The adult industry is constantly riding the wave of new technologies. Whenever technology can make pornography more accessible, affordable, or anonymous for consumers, the adult industry goes to great lengths to leverage that new technology. And what is the latest craze among pornographers?
Mobile Porn
“Pocket porn” is becoming more and more common in North America. Now with mobile and hand-held devices, pornography can be viewed nearly anywhere. Three years ago, when Sony came out with Playstation Portable, the adult market began offering pornographic downloads for it. That same year a leading porn production house signed a deal with Brickhouse Mobile, with the hopes of bringing their film clips to cell phone users.
Until recently pocket porn wasn’t much more than still images and chat services, but now the video ingenuity of the iPhone allows short video clips to be viewed. The new iPhone3G has been out for two months, and there is no doubt it is an impressive piece of technology: nice, big screen, user-friendly, and its miniaturized version of Safari software streamlines the Internet surfing process. Adult content producers at the last Adult Video News (AVN) convention said the iPhone is the “perfect vehicle” for bringing mobile porn to America. Devan Cypher, representative for Sin City Entertainment, says, “It’s by far the porn-friendliest phone.”
The adult industry has begun heavily investing in mobile porn specifically for the iPhone. Farley Cahen, vice president of AVN Media Network, reports that there are “a few hundred iPhone porn sites now in use.”
How big is mobile porn going to get? According to Juniper Research, the international market for mobile adult content reached $1.7 billion in 2007. By 2009 they expect that figure to reach $2.1 billion, and $4.6 billion by 2012.
What is Covenant Eyes doing?
Many Covenant Eyes Members are looking to purchase an iPhone, but they would like the same level of accountability and/or filtering that they enjoy on their home computers.
The Covenant Eyes staff has been considering an iPhone accountability system (based on our Mac accountability software) for several months now. In theory, creating something for the iPhone would be simple on our end, but in order to do it Apple would need to give us support to use their interface and access the background processes of the iPhone. Currently Apple does not provide these interfaces. So, that leaves us trying to come up with an alternate means of accountability for iPhone users. This month we are beginning to pursue these alternatives, but nothing is definitive yet.
We are, however, currently testing a Cell Phone/PDA version of our accountability software that uses Windows Mobile 6 software. About nine months ago, Covenant Eyes asked its Members what they wanted most: this ranked at the top of the list.
So, if you are planning on buying a PDA or cell phone, you may want to consider a Windows Mobile 6 device. Several new devices from Samsung, HTC, AT&T, T-Mobile and others are now available and handy video introductions are available (click here and here to see what’s available).
(If you are a Covenant Eyes Member, and if you have any technical expertise and want to provide us with feedback, please help us with our BETA test in October. If you are interested please send email to wmbeta@covenanteyes.com.)
Praise For and Concern about the iPhone
Just a couple weeks ago I was out on a pontoon boat with some of my family watching them try to catch fish. They didn’t have much luck until one of them pulled out their iPhone and used the GPS feature. Seeing where other fishing boats had been, they “marked” locations on the lake on the GPS and returned to those spots later on. Yes, we used an iPhone to catch fish.
New technology can be revolutionary. Just when you think we’ve reached a pinnacle of advancement, you haven’t seen anything yet! Products like the iPhone will likely set a new standard of computing. Steve Hewitt, Editor‐in‐Chief of Christian Computing Magazine, writes:
I think I purchased my first cell phone back in 1995. Over the years they have become smaller, improved connections, developed better networks with clearer signals and added features such as text messaging, cameras, and MP3 players. But now the wireless cell phone companies will be taking a back seat. They will become like the Dells and HPs and Macs. It will be the software and applications running on the machines that will matter, taking advantage of the new hardware features such as the multi‐touch screen, GPS, etc. and now that two leading “computer” companies like Apple and Google are in the business, look out.
This being said, with great power comes great responsibility (thank you, Spiderman). Many want the perks of the iPhone without the accountability of how it is used.
If you still plan on purchasing an iPhone but don’t want to have unmonitored Internet access, you may want to remove the Internet icon from the screen. You can remove the icon from the phone under the “parental controls” section in the options tab. The Internet will then be guarded by a four digit password. If you already have an accountability partner, ask him/her to hold that password for you. You will still be able to use the other features on the phone such as iTunes, email, weather, etc.
It isn’t fool-proof, but then what is?
Luke, I marvel at your site and commend you for your work in the area of pornography. God Bless.
I am curious about the Android phone as well. This is wide open source has all of the google tools, and looks quite promising. I would buy it if it had Covenant Eyes on it. Would really like to hear if you are looking into this platform ! - Jesus bless all you guys do !
i tried to follow your iphone directions and i am unable to find the options tab, could you give more detailed directions? Thank you.
Brad
Brad,
I found this video helpful for setting the parental controls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2vilWb_hYk
Go to the “Settings” function. In that go to “General.” Then click on “Restrictions.” Click on the top bar that says, “Enable Restrictions.” It will ask you to set a four-digit password, and then ask you to set the same password again to verify. After that you will be able to turn on or off various applications, such as Safari, Youtube, iTunes, or Installing Apps.
Good question. Thanks for asking me to clarify!
Keep going hard at getting the IPhone sorted out. I really want one of those but not until it’s safe.
God Bless
What about BlackBerry’s?
Pete,
We’ve received a number of questions about filtering and/or accountability for the BlackBerry.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but when we called BlackBerry to talk to their software engineers they informed us that BlackBerry does not create software for Internet filtering, nor are they aware of any applications created by anyone else.
I tried exploring a number of options, but to no avail. The only thing I could find is how to configure your computer to use Open DNS when using a BlackBerry as a tethered modem (http://blog.opendns.com/2006/10/09/d-link-actiontec-blackberry-users-we-need-your-help/), but as far as I know there is no way to change the DNS settings on the BlackBerry itself.
If you are interested in filtered Internet, I do not suggest getting a BlackBerry. We will let you know if we begin looking at the BlackBerry to develop some software for it.
While it’s not optimal, there IS a way to accomplish what you are looking to do — I don’t see it mentioned in your post, so I’m mentioning it — Create another browser that embeds the safari engine in your CE app, the CE app manages all of the URLs and gets notifications when things are clicked on, which satisfies the same tracking that CE on the desktop does. Then use the restrictions to lock safari and youtube. It’s not ideal but it should work.
Because your software is different from just straight safari, it SHOULD make it through apple’s application process.
Please contact me at the above email address if you would like to discuss it further.
Dave,
Thanks for your suggestion. Currently our team is working on several approaches to monitoring the iPhone. Currently getting Apple’s approval on things like this has proven difficult. I’ve passed it on to our VP of Technology.
What is the estimated date that the beta will be available?
Heath,
The beta version is available right now, but we require a degree of technical expertise to be involved in the test. If you want to help, email: wmbeta@covenanteyes.com
Not sure when the beta test will be finished. It depends what bugs the testers find.
please please please hurry and get covenant eyes for the i phone. I know a number of people who are waiting for this application. For many of us, just having covenant eyes keeps us from straying into dark territory. I want espn on my i phone but without a barrier to the porn industry, it;s not worth it!
Do you have an idea of when iphone software may become available? I am really looking forward to that day!
I agree, something for the iPhone would be incredible. I know you guys are working on it, and thank you. Let me just say I wish I had waited to buy an iPhone until your software was available for it. I’m considering selling the darn thing. If you get any kind of beta ready for the iPhone, let me know. I’d love to help. Parental controls is good, but not fool-proof, unfortunately. God bless you all.
The suggestion for a CE app that has a Safari browser embedded that it monitors then using the iPhone Restrictions to disable the actual Safari app is probably the best idea since Apple doesn’t allow background processes. I would be ready and willing to get my hands on that app the moment that it is released.
Just to reaffirm, please get filtering working for iPhone available asap. I love covenant eyes for my PC, it’s changed my life. Now the problem’s the cell phone. Anything you could do would be awesome. I don’t even mind paying more each month to get it (over and above my Covenant Eyes regular subscription). You just can’t put a monetary value on these things, and I’m sure I’d be saving money anyways. Pump it out - it’ll be awesome and finally plug the backdoor hole.
Diddo, Man I’m desperate. I gave my wife my phone until you guys get something figured out on this. I just can’t handle it.