Fear & Loading: DOJ Requests Scope App User Info

by
posted on September 10, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
night-vision2.jpg

Outrage created by a Department of Justice (DOJ) application for a court order demanding Google and Apple provide names, numbers and personal information of anyone who downloaded a smartphone app for night vision optics has created “new users” who don’t own a program-cable scope. Total number of free downloads is unavailable on iTunes, and Google’s PlayStore simply lists it as more than 10,000, although a sampling of recent comments on the latter indicates the list will be artificially swollen when, or if, it is provided.

One user posted, “Installed specifically to dilute the pool of users. I don’t own a compatible firearm. Shame on this attempt to step over the 4th amendment.” Another wrote, “I downloaded this app, even though I don’t own a firearm or scope, to join the upcoming class action suit … .” A third indicated, “Don’t own a gun but just having this App installed might make me rich!”

Forbes magazine reported on Sept. 6 that the DOJ application is part of an investigation into exports of night vision in direct violation of the International Traffic in Arms Regulation. The company that produces night-vision capable of running the app is not implicated.  

The Forbes article includes a quote from the DOJ application to the court that reads, “This pattern of unlawful, attempted exports of this rifle scope in combination with the manner in which the [withheld] application is paired with this scope manufactured by Company A supports the conclusion that the information requested herein will assist the government in identifying networks engaged in the unlawful export of this rifle scope through identifying end users located in countries to which export of this item is restricted.”

The DOJ application for a court order allegedly did not request the companies omit the names and personal information of United States app downloaders.

Department of Defense images.

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.