DriversEd Reacts to Pulled Fake Drivers License App

DriversEd, the developers of a now-removed iPhone app that allowed you to create a digitally fake drivers license, has responded to Apple’s decision to pull the title from the App Store following pressure from U.S. Senator Bob Casey.

Pulled earlier this week for security reasons cited by Senator Casey in a letter that personally addressed Apple CEO Tim Cook, the Drivers License app is no longer available to download on iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.

Without providing any particular explanation as to why the app got removed, Apple cited Section 22.1 of the App Store Review Guidelines, which reads:

"Apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where they are made available to users. It is the developer's obligation to understand and conform to all local laws."

Sensing that the Cupertino company had swiftly acted to satisfy Senator Casey’s demands without investigating the matter any deeper, DriversEd have now rolled out a statement (PDF) to clarify a few matters.

They highlight some characteristics like differences in layouts, fonts and colors, as well as the multiple visible references to DriversEd.com and the image being a “mock”. The fake license also has a resolution of just 72 DPI.

In fact, DriversEd.com suggests they specifically designed the app to prevent the creation of counterfeit IDs:

“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,” said Founder and Chief Operating Officer Gary Tsifrin.

“DriversEd.com strongly supports Senator Casey's goal to maintain the integrity of government issued ID,” reads the company’s statement. “As driver's education professionals, we work closely with state regulatory agencies, schools and families toward public safety on America’s roads and highways. National security requires trustworthy, secure identification, and any resource that threatens the integrity of that identification should be shut down.”

DriversEd.com continues, saying “However, in the words of Gary Tsifrin, ‘the DriversEd.com ‘Driver License’ app absolutely did not allow anyone to manufacture a fake driver's license, and we believe Apple pulled the app prematurely. We hope that in light of these facts Apple will take one more look at the DriversEd.com ‘Driver License’ app.’”