Apple Inc. has decided that it will reject any new iPhone applications that have the intention of helping “drunk drivers” to avoid DUI checkpoints. This decision was made after receiving pressure from four U.S. senators. Senators Harry Reid, Charles Schumer, Frank Lautenberg and Tom Udall began urging Apple, Google and Blackberry to remove such applications from their respective
Blackberry developers, a Canadian based firm, agreed to comply in March, when senators first started their campaign. Apple and Google both initially refused. But after several months Apple has decided to update their App store policy to include that no iPhone application can provide the location of any DUI checkpoint to the user.
Apple has refused however, to remove any existing applications that warn drivers of DUI checkpoints. Arguing that they need to give their users a chance to remake or update their application due to the new rules in place. Many applications inform drivers of not just DUI checkpoints but of speed traps, red light cameras, school zones, speed bumps, railroad tracks and other road signals. Removing the information regard the DUI checkpoints will allow these app developers to keep their application on the App store. Failure to comply results in the removal of your app from the App store.
Wow! Government at it again over controlling our lives! What about all the people who are not driving under the influence but want to avoid a DUI checkpoint for numerous reasons including to save time or to not have some police officer invade their liberty? I am surprised that Apple gave in to such government control. It reminds me of the political quote that “the 5th Amendment only protects the guilty.” How soon we forget! It wasn’t that long ago when government officials could and would kick your door in and interrogate….I need not say more!
Resources used in the Article:
No new ‘drunk driving’ apps for Apple, Yahoo News