Senators Ask Apple to Remove Apps for Avoiding DUI Checkpoints

Posted Mar 22, 2011 at 10:14PM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: News Tags: apple, ios

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Driving under the influence is like playing Russian Roulette—around any curve could be the dreaded police DUI checkpoint that could get you arrested, thrown in jail and forced to spend thousands of dollars on fines and a lawyer. Many drivers would be very willing to pay a few bucks for a way to find out exactly where the checkpoints were set up at any given time. The Apple iTunes store gives them that opportunity, as it contains several apps that can alert users to where they can find (and avoid) DUI checkpoints. A group of four U.S. Senators are not happy about these apps and have sent a letter to Apple’s senior vice president of iPhone software Scott Forstall. While declining to mention any specific apps, the letter from U.S. Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) does cite those that “contain a database of DUI [driving under the influence] checkpoints updated in real-time.” The letter continued, “With more than 10,000 Americans dying in drunk-driving crashes every year, providing access to iPhone and iPad applications that alert users to DUI checkpoints is harmful to public safety. We know that your company shares our desire to end the scourge of drunk driving and we therefore would ask you to remove these applications from your store.”

Will Apple acquiesce to their wishes? The case could be made that those who offer these apps are just providing a service and it’s up to the individual whether they choose to drink and drive. OTOH, Apple has been known to delete apps that are considered insulting or prejudicial by some groups.  

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