The latest consumer panic around the bend-ability of new iPhones is largely overblown. Most thin metal things bend. But according to the editors of Computer Bild, a hugely popular tech magazine based in Germany, Apple is banning them for even showing a bending phone.

Computer Bild's recent YouTube sensation (above) shows an iPhone 6 bending when exerted to a great amount of manual force. This may or may not simulate the gradual pressures that your phone would be subjected to in the real world, potentially mutilating your very expensive gadget. It's an interesting question! But as soon as Apple got wind of it, Computer Bild explains in an open letter, they told the publication they'd be completely cut out of the publicity machine:

To be honest: We were shocked about how easy it was to bend the device. And so were around 200.000 viewers who watched the video up until now. We can imagine that you and your colleagues must have been shocked, too. This might have been the reason why we got a call from one of your german colleagues the next morning. He was upset, and it was a rather short conversation. "From now on", he said, "you won't get any devices for testing purposes and you will not be invited to Apple events in the future."

This is quintessential Apple, banishing anyone who doesn't abide by the spectral will of Steve Jobs. Bending a brand new iPhone would be like smashing a divine icon. It seems like, if the bending issue were truly exaggerated, Apple could explain as much without resorting to blanket bans—hardly the work of a clean conscience.

The magazine seems undaunted, though:

Dear Mr. Cook: Is this really how your company wants to deal with media that provide your customers with profound tests of your products? Do you really think that a withdrawal of Apple's love and affection could have an intimidating effect on us? Luckily we do not have to rely on devices that Apple provides us with. Luckily, a lot of readers are willing to pay money for our magazine to keep us independent. So we are able to buy devices to do our tests anyway.

If Gizmodo is any benchmark, they can look forward to being welcomed back into the flock by 2018.