Google won’t pull DUI-evasion apps

By Aemon Malone March 25, 2011

Google has declined to bow to the demands of U.S. senators who want app purveyors to drop apps that promise to help users avoid sobriety checkpoints. A source cited in an International Business Times report said that Google will only remove apps for violating Android content policies. The “DUI-evasion” apps appear to be OK by Google’s standards and the company won’t be taking any action, according to the report.

Fuzz Alert, Phantom Alert and Trapster are examples of apps that give users a variety of information about various police activities along roads and highways including speed traps, red light cameras and DUI checkpoints.

Senators Harry Reid, Charles E. Schumer, Frank R. Lautenberg and Tom Udall recently addressed letters to Google, Research in Motion (RIM) and Apple asking the companies to remove the apps from their respective mobile app stores.

“Giving drunk drivers a free tool to evade checkpoints, putting innocent families and children at risk, is a matter of public concern,” the senators said. “We hope that you will give our request to remove these applications from your store immediate consideration.”

The senators didn’t specifically name any individual apps in their letters.

While Google remains resolute, RIM has capitulated and removed the apps in question from its BlackBerry World Store.

“RIM’s decision to remove these apps from their online store prove that when it comes to drunk driving, there should not be an app for that,” said senator Charles Schumer.

Apple has not inidcated if it will take any action. And a quick check of the iTunes App Store shows that apps in question remain available for download.

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