According to Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, Apple has rejected the latest update to NIN: Access -- the band's iPhone App update -- because of objectionable content that can be found on iTunes itself.

In a Twitter post, Mr. Reznor said, "Apple rejects the NIN iPhone update because it contains objectionable content. The objectionable content referenced is The Downward Spiral." The 1994 album is, of course, available for download through iTunes.

NIN: Access allows Nine Inch Nails fans to find each other through iPhone's built-in GPS, listen to music from the band's catalog, upload and view fan photos, access the group's forums, and send and receive private messages to other users.

Apple has frequently run into criticism and complaints for its App Store approval process, which to the outside world seems arbitrary and capricious. Some of that stems from the company's usual practice of keeping that process secret.

At the same time, however, Apple has OK'd various and sundry farting apps, and even Baby Shaker (subsequently pulled), while refusing apps from South Park and this NIN: Access update for containing content deemed objectionable that can be purchased from Apple itself on the same iTunes store.

It is these contradictions that have been the focus of criticism and debate amongst developers, media pundits, and fans alike, with the NIN issue being the latest. The current version of NIN: Access remains available for free on the App Store.

NIN: Access Screenshot