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German BVG Agency Forces iPhone Developer to Change App
This story comes out of Berlin, Germany. A 21-year old Web developer created an iPhone application that uses the GPS in the iPhone to help you find the nearest public transportation U-Bahn and S-Bahn (subway) stations. If you are onboard a train you could watch the transit map move live. The application has been downloaded over 20,000 times to-date.
The German BVG agency which is responsible for public transportation, had the application removed from the iPhone App Store. BVG spokeswoman Petra Reetz said that they want "but only the best for passengers". In speaking with one of my German contacts, he believes the fear for the BVG is that if the app data is wrong, German citizens may sue BVG. So rather than deal with that potential issue, they had the app shut down.
This type of mobile application would be awesome for many cities around the world. While it would only work where there’s mobile coverage, it could be a huge help in getting more people to take mass transit.
You can read the full story (in German) on Heise Online.
Update from madam3181 via Twitter: "The iPhone app "Fahr-Info Berlin" is still available from the iTunes store however the current version has the maps removed"
what a freaking load of crap!
This is a shame. I used this application a lot when I was in Berlin recently. It’s fantastic, and much easier to use than the offical product available on the BVG website.
BVG should thank the developer and offer to assist him.
The number of frivolous lawsuits filed in Germany is staggering.
While BVG’s action was inappropriate, the fear of getting sued for having third-party app supply out-of-date data is very much valid in Germany.
Thanks Judith – I have updated the story. As for the "being sued" item, I can only report what my friends and business associates tell me. Although I do enjoy Berlin a lot!
This is not what the German article said. BVG only made the author remove the copyrighted image of the net from his app. The application remains in the App Store and can still tell you the next stop or how to reach your destination. Of course I still think they shouldn’t do it.
Being afraid of being sued is not a typical thing in Germany, as suing is expensive even if you win and very often suits end without a result as judges or lawyers refuse to deal with trivialities. Normally we laugh about American companies putting notices like “Careful! May be hot.” on coffee mugs and products of a culture of suing over there.