Plastic surgery app is removed from iTunes and Google Play stores after online backlash

 
Controversy: the app encouraged users to alter the appearance of an overweight girl
Rachel Blundy15 January 2014

A video game which let children as young as nine carry out plastic surgery on an overweight girl has been removed from the iTunes and Google Play stores after an online campaign.

Apple and Google have pulled the free app, called Plastic Surgery for Barbie, after it was widely condemned by Twitter users yesterday.

Women's rights activists from Everday Sexism, which led the backlash, announced the latest development in a tweet today, saying: "Both iTunes and Google Play have removed from their platforms the apps we highlighted to them yesterday".

But in another post, they added that a similar app called 'Plastic Surgery for Barbara' was still available to download.

Scenario: a nurse and doctor stand with the game's patient

Its description reads: "Barbara likes to eat a lot of burgers and chocolates and once she found out that she looks ugly. She can’t make it up with this situation any additional second.

"And today plastic surgeon is going to make operation on her body and face in order to return cute Barbara’s look. She is afraid of all of this, but I know you will check that everything is over normally."

The Plastic Surgery for Barbie software invited players to carry out 'nip and tuck' operations on a cartoon girl to make her more beautiful.

It was launched earlier this month by developer Corina Rodrigues.

Mattel UK is investigating the use of the Barbie name.

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