Political pressure forces fake license app off App Store
updated 12:10 pm EST, Mon December 12, 2011
App went unchecked for two years
An app for creating fake drivers' licenses has been pulled from the App Store following political pressure. A group called the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License says that Senator Bob Casey from Pennsylvania recently sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, asking that the app -- simply called License -- be removed. The CSDL charges that the title contained license templates for all 50 US states, which if printed and laminated could pass for the real thing. A check of the App Store shows no sign of the software, which was produced by DriversEd.com.
"I believe this application poses a threat to public safety and national security...it can be used in a way that allows criminals to create a new identity, steal someone else's identity, or permit underage youth to purchase alcohol or tobacco illegally," part of Casey's letter reads. "National security systems depend on the trustworthiness of driver's licenses, yet with a counterfeit license created by the app, a terrorist could bypass identity verification by the Transportation Security Administration, or even apply for a passport."
The CSDL says its president, Brian Zimmer, originally sent a letter to Apple's senior VP for iOS -- Scott Forstall -- in April. The app itself though was available for over two years, raising the question of why none of the parties involved took action sooner. Apple policies normally screen out apps which enable illegal activities.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2000
nonsense
Too bad Apple caved to political pressure.
1. This app was just for fun, it doesn't generate a license, just an image.
2. There are plenty of ways to create 'fake' licenses. Anyone with a computer and an image editing app like Photoshop can do it, but...
3. To make a real counterfeit, you'll need the proper material to print it on and the correct type of printer (plastic not paper). That will run you thousands of dollars.
4. Even if you have the plastic card material and a printer, how are you going to duplicate magnetic strip data or embedded RFID chips, or embedded holograms (depending on state)?
This Senator needs to get a life. Real counterfeiters are making licenses and they're not using a play-toy app from the App store.