Smartphone Apps Get Closer Official Scrutiny

The proliferation of smartphones and tablets has unleashed developers, who have created thousands of apps designed to perform specific functions on the go. But as the number apps increases, so does the scrutiny of government officials.

The same week that Pandora Media, which produces the popular app that provides a free streaming music service, disclosed a grand jury subpoena over privacy issues, two states have singled out apps that they saw endanger public safety.

Maryland and Delaware object

Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler and Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden have joined forces to ask Google and Apple to ban smartphone applications that help users avoid drunk-driving checkpoints.  The applications, currently available for download for Apple iPhone and Google Android phones, provide the locations of police checkpoints and allow users to report checkpoints to others.

"These smartphone applications give drunk drivers a 'how-to' guide to evade DUI checkpoints and endanger the lives of innocent citizens on our roads," Gansler said. "We strongly urge Google and Apple to take the most responsible and reasonable step and ban these types of applications altogether.  These are nothing more than an overt method of circumventing laws that were specifically enacted to save lives."

At odds with public policy

Biden said he is also concerned that the apps would make it harder to get impaired drivers off the road.

"Automobiles with drunk drivers behind the wheel are deadly weapons," Biden said. "I am urging Apple to do the right thing and join us in keeping drunk drivers off our roads, not provide them with a road map to avoid checkpoints that are meant to protect our families."

In a letter sent to Apple's Senior Vice President for iPhone Software and the Chief Executive Officer of Google, the attorneys general called on the companies to remove the  applications.

All of this follows last month's dust-up in which gay activists groups criticized Apple for offering an app offering a "gay cure." Apple subsequently removed the app from iTunes.