Apple moves to block DUI checkpoint applications

by Steven Mostyn - Jun 9 2011, 09:28

If you’re an idiot who owns an iPhone, enjoys a hard night’s drinking, and believes the effects of alcohol don’t compromise your driving abilities, you’re probably a fan of mobile software applications that warn of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints.

Bad news for you then, chump, because Apple has this week introduced new App Store Review Guidelines that enforce a ban on any and all DUI applications for devices carrying the iOS operating system.

“Apps which contains DUI checkpoints that are not published by law enforcement agencies, or encourage and enable drunk driving, will be rejected,” the official submission guidelines now state.  

Apple’s decision to block DUI apps will likely please members of the U.S. Congress, several of which have been pushing the Cupertino-based giant to take action for months.
 
That being said, any sense of satisfaction may be somewhat short lived because Apple has not moved to drop applications that inform drivers of upcoming speed traps—another bugbear for Congress.

BlackBerry smartphone specialist Research In Motion (RIM) blocked DUI app submissions to its online store back in March of this year. Interestingly, Google has not yet taken any action via its Android Market, despite increasing pressure to do so.

While we wait for Google to do the right thing, we can cast our gaze towards the App Store and bid farewell to contentious DUI apps such as Buzzed, Fuzz Alert Pro and DUI Dodger.

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