Tech

Apple Chooses Freedom Over Police State, Greenlights ‘Speed Cameras Alert’ App

Christian Datoc Senior White House Correspondent
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Only a week after it initially rejected the proposal, tech-giant Apple has green-lit what could easily be the “App of the Year” for download from its online store.

According to Northern Virginia-based developer Charles Yeh, Apple initially rejected “Speed Cameras Alert” — which alerts drivers in the Washington, D.C. metro-area when they are approaching speed camera traps — “on grounds it was not legal in all of the locations where it would be available and could be used to help users break the law.”

Despite his initial rejection, Yeh consulted with D.C. police who said that the information in the app is public information, and launched an online petition to get “Speed Cameras Alert” approved.

Yeh and various tech blogs hammered Apple’s initial ruling — “especially given apps such as Google’s navigation app Waze … which allows users to plot the locations of speed cameras to warn other drivers” — but after his petition rapidly gained momentum and signatures, he was greeted by the following email from Apple Tuesday morning.

Dear Charles Yeh,
The following app has been approved and the app status has changed to Ready for Sale:

App Name: Speed Cameras Alert

“Speed Cameras Alert” is now available for download on the Apple Store

Oh … and it’s free.

[h/t: Washington Post]

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