Over the weekend, it was reported that blogging platform Tumblr was suddenly seen missing from Apple’s App Store. While it was not clear why did the app suddenly disappear, CNET’s Download.com reported that the app was removed due to the discovery of child pornography. Earlier this week, users reported that were issues with searching in the iOS app while Safe Mode was off. Tumblr had also said that is was working to resolve an issue with the iOS app. From Child Pornography to Stalking! How Social Media Promotes Voyeurism.

According to Download.com, Tumblr was serving child pornography that had slipped through standard filters. In a statement released by Tumblr, it explained that it works closely with partners such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited to activetly monitor for content uploaded to its platform. The Verge reported that users who had deleted the app to reinstall, discovered that the app was now missing from the App Store.

Tumblr released a statement which read: “We’re committed to helping build a safe online environment for all users and we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to media featuring child sexual exploitation and abuse….Every image uploaded to Tumblr is scanned against an industry database of known child sexual abuse material and images that are detected never reach the platform. A routine audit discovered content on our platform that had not yet been included in the industry database.”

Apple in the past also has removed apps from the store. Earlier this year, Telegram was removed after it became clear that the messaging app was being used to distribute child pornography. Apple’s iOS guidelines make it clear that any apps available on the store must have some sort of content filter to screen out such materials.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 20, 2018 01:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).