Apple Yanks Driver's License-Making App After Senator Makes A Stink

mclovin-fake-i.d.
WFMNJ

UPDATE: DriversEd.com is on damage control, releasing a statement Tuesday that refutes Sen. Casey's claims that its app promotes identity theft. 

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"DriversEd.com specifically and deliberately designed the app to prevent the creation of counterfeit identification," the company says. “By design, it would take more effort and expertise to modify the product of the DriversEd.com ‘Driver License’ app than to construct a counterfeit from scratch."

A U.S. Senator got to toot his own horn Monday after an open letter he sent to Apple CEO Tim Cook resulted in the removal of an app that let users make their own fake I.D.'s. 

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) called out the electronics giant Friday for offering DriversEd.com's free "Driver's License" app in the iTunes store. With it, any user could create a driver's license for all 50 states. 

Casey claimed the app could easily be exploited by underaged boozehounds and crooks looking to create a new identity or steal an unwitting consumer's. All they'd have to do is print the image of and have it laminated.

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“I urged Apple to take the responsible step of removing this dangerous app, and I’m pleased that the app is no longer available in the store,” Casey said in a statement Monday. “

Here's an excerpt from Casey's finger-wagging letter to Apple

"While identity fraud is not a new problem, the use of readily available technology to facilitate this crime is of particular concern.  By assisting in the creation of counterfeit driver’s licenses, “License” threatens to ease deception by criminals and contribute to the rising problem of identity theft.  Given these risks, I request that you remove this application from the App Store immediately, as well as any other available applications that allow users to create, steal or alter false identities." 

Someone upstairs at Apple was listening, because the Consumerist reported Monday that it'd been yanked from the iTunes store. 

Speaking of apps, check out 10 that will help you survive the holiday shopping season here >

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