Apple said on Wednesday that an iPhone application called “Jew or Not Jew” which drew criticism from anti-racism and Jewish groups had been removed from the App Store in France. Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said that the app violated local law and was was no longer available on the App Store in France. The application, which went on sale on August 9 and cost 0.79 euros, was denounced in France by SOS Racism, Jewish groups and other organizations. The app provided information about whether some 3,500 people from various walks of life in 50 countries were Jewish or not. The creator of the application, Johann Levy, said that he was Jewish and the app was not intended to be offensive. On the contrary, he said, it was designed to “make Jews proud” when they find out that a “particular celebrity is also Jewish.” French laws enacted following World War II ban compiling information about religious affiliation without permission. Violators could face five years in prison and a fine of 300,000 euros.
