Apple Pulls App for Creating Fake Driver's Licenses Following U.S. Senator's Complaint

[newrocket]

This is the only bad side of an app store

Why does apple let the government interfere
If this would get sorted out the app store would be the best thing ever !!
They should let any app on the app store regardless of the content... the only concern should be if the app does whats advertised, it doesn't crash and that its checked for malware.

 

[Truffy]

Phew, thank goodness they've now eliminated the only way anybody with a computer and scanner/printer would ever be able to do this.

Yeah, that had me scratching my head too. Has the senator in question ever heard of PhotoShop? And then there's...

OK, perhaps I'm a bit confused here, but this app allowed you to create a fake digital driver's license on your device, correct? So, unless bartenders/TSA agents/law enforcement are going to accept, "I'm sorry, I don't have my ACTUAL driver's license with me, but here's a picture of it on my iPhone," you'd have to save the file off, mail it to yourself, print it out (likely multiple times to get the size right), and then what, paste it over your ACTUAL driver's license?

Every time I've ever had my ID checked (usually when flying), the person doing the checking has had a UV light to check the UV indicator on our Kentucky licenses. Otherwise, they've been checking for the holographic foil embedded in the license. Neither of which would be present if you just printed out whatever this app generated and pasted it over a real license. In other words- anyone who is going to be fooled by this really should not be in a position to be checking IDs in the first place...

Sure, it seems like a slam dunk that Apple would cave on this, but it also seems like they could have just said, "If you seriously think there's that big of a security risk posed by this app, you need to be worrying more about those responsible for that security than about this app..."

QFT

 

[ThunderSkunk]

We also revert to pedophiles as a backup when terrorist fails.

don't forget Hitler!

 

[adildacoolset]

Ridiculous? Really? And here I thought we were all still belly laughing at all of the stories on Android malware.

They can do it, but keep the Appstore.It will then be at the discretion of the user. A bit like mac, and if they can still implant the sandbox, then security will be tighter. And they can work towards any recorded malwares just like in mac. So Everyone wins!

 

[BornAgainMac]

That still looked like a fun App.

 

[Powerbooky]

Senator Casey stated that, "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"

What a load of BS! What's next? A law that enforces anyone to be screened by the FBI anytime when they use Photoshop/Illustrator? Dumb senators pose way more threat to public safety than a silly app displaying driver licenses on a screen.

 

[Sankersizzle]

It can't defeat TSA security. It may, however, defeat the security at the counter of your local liquor store.

Take it from a 21 year old university student, no one uses their fake ID at the liquor store. Those are the places that card you with the most scrutiny. Any real club or establishment swipe ID's for authenticity. Pretty much the only way to be underaged and get alcohol from a legit establishment is by finding yourself a legit ID from someone who looks exactly like you.

What fake ID's are usually used for is going to clubs/bars that are known to allow minors. You give your crappy ID just so they can say "hurr durr he gave us ID" if the police come in.

 

[lewis82]

Driver's licenses in Canada are printed on plastic, not laminated paper. Problem solved.

 

[Shrink]

don't forget Hitler!

Yes, don't...

 

[soco]

Never had any malware on any of mine Dont listen to all the crud out there.

I'm not listening to any crud. I'm speaking from experiencing it myself.

 

[Mak47]

I'm from PA. Bob Casey is worthless. He's got a tough election coming up and is trying to do anything and everything he can to make it look like he's accomplished something other than bootlicking in Washington.

"Voters...let me assure you...I can and have sent very effective emails! And I'll do it again!"

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Driver's licenses in Canada are printed on plastic, not laminated paper. Problem solved.

I think nearly all if not all US licenses are on plastic now as well. This is a useless novelty gimmick that wasn't going to fool anyone.

 

[HKUSP.40]

It's ONE app out of over 1/2 a million... It was sketchy anyway. Who cares if it got shut down. It shouldn't have ever been allowed in the first place.

 

[ivladster]

a person who wants to get a fake ID will get it no matter if there's an app for that or not. just ask some 10million plus people in US.

 

[UTclassof89]

A fake ID would have been a dream to me 20 years ago when I was in high school. Seems with the internet, making one isn't quite so hard. Even with this app gone, I assume there must be websites doing the same thing.

... or anyone with a copy of Photoshop.

 

[notjustjay]

OK, perhaps I'm a bit confused here, but this app allowed you to create a fake digital driver's license on your device, correct?

It was mentioned right in the article that people could email themselves the results as a high-resolution image, which could then be printed and presumably laminated or whatever to make it look all official-like.

Every time I've ever had my ID checked (usually when flying), the person doing the checking has had a UV light to check the UV indicator on our Kentucky licenses. Otherwise, they've been checking for the holographic foil embedded in the license. Neither of which would be present if you just printed out whatever this app generated and pasted it over a real license. In other words- anyone who is going to be fooled by this really should not be in a position to be checking IDs in the first place...

Yeah, I have a hard time believing anybody would fall for this where it truly matters (police, TSA, liquor stores, clubs) but I'm sure there are places that only give passing glances to the IDs.

 

[kingtj]

Exactly ....

I'm not saying I'm upset this app is gone from the App Store, or arguing its "many constructive uses" ... but government has no business butting in and making demands that a company remove such programs from their online store.

If the app is truly illegal in some way, then deal with it at the source! Get a warrant to arrest the developer who made it! Otherwise, go do something more useful with your time!

The idea that this enables the easy counterfeiting of drivers' licenses seems pretty laughable to me anyway. For starters, I can think of few devices LESS printer-friendly than the iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. You have to purchase either one of a handful of specific printers, or use 3rd. party products just to print from one in the first place. Making a convincing copy of a drivers' license is much more a matter of having the right type of printer, correct paper to print on, and proper laminating equipment than anything else.

I know here in Missouri, the old license in shiny laminate has LONG been out of use. The licenses they've issued for quite some time now are basically a semi-gloss textured plastic material. Seems to me the biggest challenge to copying one would be obtaining suitable (and printable!) blank material of the same type!

Apple is free to make their own business decisions about what they sell in their stores, but getting that pressure from the government is scary. Whenever a senator makes a plea or suggestion that a business "do the right thing", the unspoken coda is "...or we'll force you to".

That's hardly a choice, and it's scary.

 

[ECUpirate44]

don't forget Hitler!

You ruined it. The joke was over at pedophiles.

 

[objc]

This should stop the rash of alcohol sales to under-21s who were able to pull it off by showing the clerk their ipod touch.

 

[*LTD*]

An obvious move. Otherwise, not much to see here.

 

[JHankwitz]

Right thing to do.

However, Apple really needs to allow users to install apps outside of the app store. It's ridiculous they don't allow me that without jailbreaking.

I would rather Apple only allow 'safe' apps on my iDevice rather than any old hack that could corrupt my system or information. They, by far, are able to protect my data from hackers than I am. If I didn't care about this I would likely be using a Windoz PC and Android. But, I do care, and that's why I always have been and will always remain 'only Apple'.

 

[acfusion29]

I'm not saying I'm upset this app is gone from the App Store, or arguing its "many constructive uses" ... but government has no business butting in and making demands that a company remove such programs from their online store.

If the app is truly illegal in some way, then deal with it at the source! Get a warrant to arrest the developer who made it! Otherwise, go do something more useful with your time!


<removed text>

hold on.. are you for real?

 

[applesith]

This is the only bad side of an app store

Why does apple let the government interfere
If this would get sorted out the app store would be the best thing ever !!
They should let any app on the app store regardless of the content... the only concern should be if the app does whats advertised, it doesn't crash and that its checked for malware.

It's illegal to make fake government issued identification. I don't see why people are surprised by this or arguing that the app should have remained in the store.

 

[Jaredly]

I see why apple did what they did, but the reality is that it is so easy to get a fake ID. I am in college right now and I can name you at least 10 websites that make the ID's for you.(given they are 50 bucks and illegal but...) I think the senators should be more worried about these people shipping fake ID's than an app that maybe some people can make into a fake ID. You would have to be pretty savvy to take a pic on that app, send it to yourself, print it at just the right size, right materials, and get the right security security features. But anybody can go to this site pay $50 and get an ID. Which do you think is more dangerous?

 

[AmpSkillz]

Right thing to do.

So you think it's ok for Apple and the government to decide what is allowed to be installed on your iDevice.

However, Apple really needs to allow users to install apps outside of the app store. It's ridiculous they don't allow me that without jailbreaking.

So you DON'T think it's ok for Apple or the government to decide what is allowed to be installed on your iDevice.

little confused