Now this is a real tricky one. Like most people I think all drunk drivers should be strung up and shot. On the other hand RIM agreeing to censor apps that help drunk drivers evade police checkpoints definitely opens the door to the subject of a slippery slope. According to Senator Charles E Schumer said “RIM’s decision to remove these apps from their online store proves that when it comes to drunk driving, there should not be an app for that.”
According to RIM’s current rules and guidelines for App World vendors there does not seem to be a reason to yank these apps since they do not break any law or regulation. This makes me wonder what could happen next if this is successful. What about applications that tell you when you are nearing a police speed trap? Quite a few popular GPS devices can do that so should they also be banned? How about a texting or messaging app that might be used while driving? RIM even recently posted a partner press release on their own site highlighting an app that helps you avoid speeding cameras.
So the question is where will RIM’s moral compass lead them next? Hopefully it stays put since I understand blocking apps that promote drunken driving but once you set precedent…
BTW it looks like Trapster has been pulled
DavidB ( View Profile) - Posts: