SAN FRANCISCO: The maker of an application that would alert iPhone users to US military drone strikes said Thursday that Apple has repeatedly shot down his efforts to get it into the App Store.
"I just wanted to make a simple app that would send a push notification every time there is a drone strike," Begley told AFP.
"I was thinking about how hidden the drone war is and about ways to play with what happens in the pockets of smartphone users," the New York University graduate student continued.
Begley hunkered down and made his first iPhone app, Drones+, which tracks drone strikes by aggregating information from a Bureau of Investigative Journalism database.
Reports of drone strikes prompt iPhone notifications that arrive with pop-up text messages; Google maps showing locations, and the option of more detail.
Begley said that Drones+ was rejected twice by Apple on technical grounds since he first submitted it to the Cupertino, California-based maker of iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macintosh computers in July.
A third rejection came this week, according to Begley, with Apple informing him that Drones+ would not be allowed in the App Store because many people were likely to find the content objectionable.
The 27-year-old interactive communications student expressed dismay that an application crafted to aggregate news reports could be deemed objectionable.
"I didn't really expect anyone to download the app if it was in the App Store," Begley said. "That was the point; I don't think people want to know when a drone strikes."
He is considering going to work on a version of Drones+ for smartphones powered by Google-backed Android software.
"I would like for it to exist somewhere," Begley said."
COMMENTS (11)
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This article tells more about the app. Doesn't sound particularly interesting. Might be more useful just bookmark its source - Bureau of Investigative Journalism - though I have not checked this out yet myself. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/apple-refuses-to-approve-app-that-alerts-you-to-u-s-drone-strikes/
@Simba If only hearing the news of drone strike can scare people, then what about feeling of those people where these drones fly all day and actually throw bombs to kill innocent women and children.
It should be available for Symbian as well because people who are prey of drons especially Afghans and balouchistan side they don't keep expensive handset, anyways extremely great effort.
linked with "Bureau of Investigative Journalism database" not with satellite, nothing new, a farce drama, controlled by CIA as the bureau is, ......
Well it's decided then. I'm getting Galaxy SIII.
useless app. the information about drones is confidential. it will only show the information about drones which is allowed by US and this can be seen on any media no need to use an app for this. plus this app will scare people to hear the about the drones very frequently.
The greatest champion of human rights and freedom of expression. Ha!
Go for Android mate and raise the voice of innocent victims
Too bad. Contrary to perception people do know about drone strikes. But the app and associated info without political propaganda would be nice to inform the public.
Someone has been listening to National Public Radio (NPR) in the US. @Yo!! - shows how little you understand the US.
Hah! Apple and US govt (read CIA) goes hand in hand.