Nine Inch Nails' (NIN) frontman Trent Reznor is well-known for fusing technology with his music in those realms, so we can say he certainly holds some extra clout when he smacks around Apple some.

Reznor's been making available for some time now a NIN-themed iPhone application via the App Store, part of the aim for which was to connect fans at his shows, share media, etc. A pretty cool idea, and something he was insistent about being different from all the usual garbage bands release as a cash grab.

As of last week, however, Apple has decided it has a problem with the application, following an update made by Reznor which made the track "The Downward Spiral" listenable through it via a podcast (the song contains the word 'fucking', in one instance only -- look Apple, we said it, and the world didn't fall apart!), though it isn't actually apart of the application. It's not clear in its email whether Apple is rejecting the album of the same title, or just the song (only the latter is listenable).

Anyhow, here is Reznor's response to the rejection e-mail, sent to Apple's iPhone Developer Program contact and posted on the NIN forums:

Now, "The Downward Spiral" the album is not available anywhere in the iPhone app. The song "The Downward Spiral" I believe is in a podcast that can be streamed to the app.
Thanks Apple for the clear description of the problem - as in, what do you want us to change to get past your stupid fucking standards?
And while we're at it, I'll voice the same issue I had with Wal-Mart years ago, which is a matter of consistency and hypocrisy. Wal-Mart went on a rampage years ago insisting all music they carry be censored of all profanity and "clean" versions be made for them to carry. Bands (including Nirvana) tripped over themselves editing out words, changing album art, etc to meet Wal-Mart's standards of decency - because Wal-Mart sells a lot of records. NIN refused, and you'll notice a pretty empty NIN section at any Wal-Mart. My reasoning was this: I can understand if you want the moral posturing of not having any "indecent" material for sale - but you could literally turn around 180 degrees from where the NIN record would be and purchase the film "Scarface" completely uncensored, or buy a copy of Grand Theft Auto where you can be rewarded for beating up prostitutes. How does that make sense?
You can buy The Downward Fucking Spiral on iTunes, but you can't allow an iPhone app that may have a song with a bad word somewhere in it. Geez, what if someone in the forum in our app says FUCK or CUNT? I suppose that also falls into indecent material. Hey Apple, I just got some SPAM about fucking hot asian teens THROUGH YOUR MAIL PROGRAM. I just saw two guys having explicit anal sex right there in Safari! On my iPhone!
Come on Apple, think your policies through and for fuck's sake get your app approval scenario together.

Some will remember the baby shaking app, as well, which got through, just one of many objectionable incidents on Apple's part.

Later in the thread, Reznor clarifies his position on the matter:

Everyone - let me be clear. I love Apple products and as goofy and out-of-touch as their app approval process / policy is, I will still use them because they work 1000X better than the competition. This is not a debate, it's a fact. The iPhone is THE most elegant, modern smartphone at this point in time and it's perfect for what we want to do with the NIN app - except for the ludicrous approval process, and that's what I want to draw attention to.

Android is cool, but nobody has an Android phone. Blackberry is OK but the hardware is inconsistent and WinMo straight-up sucks balls. If Apple doesn't get it together, we will most certainly make it available to the jailbreak community. I didn't invest in this app to see it languish on the sidelines from an idiotic policy while this tour is in full swing.