After getting rapped by US authorities for allowing appas that display DUI (Driving Under Influence) traps on iOS, Apple has started purging these apps from the app store. They have also updated the terms and conditions of the App Store so that it would no longer allow such applications in it. It was not long ago that apps that alerted users about impending DUI check points started appearing on the App Store. Also notable is the fact that RIM too had decided to purge apps with similar functionality. It is now only the Android Market who is yet to take action on these apps.
It was at the recently concluded WWDC that these new rules came in to fore. Apple is pretty clear when it comes to DUI alert apps when it says “Apps which contain DUI checkpoints that are not published by law enforcement agencies, or encourage and enable drunk driving, will be rejected.”
That said, apps like PhantomAlert and Trapster which are amongst the popular apps with this functionality can still continue on the App Store if they disable their DUI listing abilities. These apps are also useful for locating speed cameras, radar traps and intimating users about school zones. Now we wonder why Apple thinks avoiding speed cameras and radar traps are okay and simply banning DUI alerts is okay.
Any thoughts?
[Via Autoblog]
