Amazon pulls pro-pedophilia book from Kindle store after outcry

Definitively the most controversial tech story of the year comes courtesy of Amazon.  The Kindle platform is great way for up and coming and even established writers to get their material on sale and in the public eye. The problem is though, that occasionally an inappropriate text will slip through the net.

A text like, The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure for example, which was published two weeks ago and sold on Amazon’s Kindle Store. Not hard to see why that text is 'inappropriate.'

The product description said that the book was an ‘attempt to make pedophile situations safer for those juveniles that find themselves involved in them, by establishing certain rules for these adults to follow.’

Author Phillips Greaves said he hoped thereby to help paedophiles, if caught, get lighter sentences. He states that he does not advocate penetrative sex with children but he does think that ‘fondling’ is perfectly okay.

Now you don't need me to tell you that that's an unacceptable, disgusting and frankly extremely dangerous way of thinking. But should it have been taken off the Kindle store and why? Some very interesting points regarding censorship have sprung up from the controversy.

Amazon’s terms of service say that 'pornography, offensive material and titles which may lead to illegal activity are prohibited'. That's their personal rules as a business so they don't get their E-shelves filled with smut, which is fair enough. If you want to publish something 'offensive' or 'which promotes illegal activity' then they'll be somewhere out there which caters for that, just not Amazon. (Though I would say that there's probably a tonne of literature on Kindle promoting illegal drug use, but that's another matter.)

The strange thing here is that Amazon appears not to agree that there is anything wrong with Greaves book. In a statement to the BBC, Amazon said: “Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions.”

Amazon's decision to pull the book came only after thousands of hostile comments and at least two Facebook pages condemning it were set up (here's where it makes sense) and when many customers said they would not order from Amazon until the title was removed, and even cancelled existing orders.

But where should Amazon stand on this issue? It's important to avoid censorship, that's just as dangerous as publishing 'books promoting illegal activity.' What's the worst that could happen? The average person will not read Greaves book and go on to commit 'illegal acts'  but I do agree that the title alone could be upsetting to some readers who stumble across it, which is perhaps when we do have to think about some sort of 'censorship' to protect the public.

What do you think on the issue, leave your thoughts below.

Source: TGDAILY