[Infowarrior] - Senators to Apple: Pull iPhone DUI checkpoint alert apps

[Richard Forno]

Senators to Apple: Pull iPhone DUI checkpoint alert apps

By Gregg Keizer
March 22, 2011 03:56 PM ET

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9214928/Senators_to_Apple_Pull_iPhone_DUI_checkpoint_alert_apps?taxonomyId=13&pageNumber=2

PhantomALERT offers apps for the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry; FuzzAlert, however, is available only on the iPhone. Unlike Google, Apple only allows iPhone and iPad users to download sanctioned software from its App Store, giving the senators a single choke point in their demand for the apps' removal.

Reid, who is the Senate majority leader, joined with Schumer, Lautenberg and Udall to ask Apple, Google and RIM to remove the software from their app stores.

Apple, Google and RIM did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the senators' letter.

Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police said that in some instances such apps may be helpful.

"We don't feel one way or the other," said Hastings, the agency's public information officer. "If things like these apps increase awareness on the part of drivers to slow down and drive to the signs posted and the conditions, that helps people stay alert and drive safely."

Hastings, however, said that the Oregon State Police had no opinion on the DUI/DWI aspects of such apps because Oregon law enforcement is not allowed to conduct sobriety checkpoints, having abandoned them more than a decade ago after a state Supreme Court decision ruled them unconstitutional.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Oregon is in the minority; 38 states as well as the District of Columbia allow police to run DUI/DWI checkpoints.

Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld.