Apple has updated its App Store review guidelines to explicitly ban apps such as the popular Trapster as well as other apps that warn drivers of upcoming checkpoints for either speeding or roadside DUI checks. The ban comes after months of pressure by US lawmakers towards the iPhone manufacturer, believing that the apps encourage drunk and reckless behavior behind the wheel and subsequently wanting the apps removed in the name of protecting families and children.
For its part, Trapster creator Pete Teneriello has repeatedly defended Trapster and denies that it encourages drunk/reckless driving by pointing to the capability to find a cab from its app. RIM has already banned similar apps from BlackBerry App World.
Welcome to the police state!
Part of me wishes Apple would fight it, but the stockholder side of me is glad they didn’t spend the money on fighting it.