Apple Bans DUI Avoidance Apps from the App Store

Apple has just updated its App Store Reviewal Guidelines, not surprising since the company just launched the iOS 5 beta to developers. Some might not "drink to" at least one of the changes: DUI checkpoint apps are now banned from the App Store.

The change possibly came as a result of a request from U.S. Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Tom Udall (D-NM) who sent a letter to Apple, Google, and RIM in March. In it, they asked those three companies to remove any apps from their respective marketplaces that allow users get around DUI checkpoints.

Apple is the only one to comply with the request so far. And it only applies to DUI checkpoints. Apps such as "Trapster," which is used to avoid "speed traps."

Interestingly, California is required by law to publish the general location of DUI checkpoints in advance, so this shouldn't have an effect on any California residents. Additionally, since RIM and Google have not yet responded, there is still "an app for that" on Android and BlackBerry, at least for now.