She made a lot of talk about her. The Akha application, already removed from the Google Play Store on Tuesday, was removed from the Apple App Store on Friday. Owners of iPhone devices in turn can therefore no longer download this app allowing users to report the presence of control teams on public transport. On the other hand, those who have already installed it on their smartphone can still use it.
“Control in Auber,” wrote a user this Monday afternoon. “Control Gare du Nord exit RER B,” says another. In just a few weeks, more than 130,000 people have downloaded Akha, making it one of the most popular apps of the moment. Except that what was to become the “Waze of transport” violates the Savary law of 2016 and article L2242-10 of the Transport Code. These texts provide that “the fact of disseminating, by any means whatsoever and whatever the medium, any message likely to indicate the presence of controllers or security agents employed or commissioned by a public transport operator of travelers is punishable by two months' imprisonment and a fine of 3,750 euros. Same penalty as for “intentionally declaring a false address or identity during a check”.
Last Monday, Valérie Pécresse (LR), the president of Île-de-France Mobilités, declared herself “scandalized” by this app “which shamelessly calls itself the name of the dealers’ alarm signal and facilitates fraud in transport by locating controllers and security forces. Not to mention the help it provides to delinquents and criminals… It’s a criminal offense,” denounced the elected official.
-As of Tuesday, Akha was no longer visible in the Google Play Store, and on Friday it disappeared from the Apple Store. Without visibility and updates, the app has little future. Although some smart people can get around the restrictions by downloading the app installation file (apk) outside the platforms. “But there are cyber risks in leaving the Play Store and it is not within everyone's reach,” underlines a specialist.
Questioned by BFMTV, the creator of Sidox, real name Sid Ahmed Mekhiche, based in Issou (Yvelines), denies inciting fraud. “I don't feel in control of everything that happens, I don't feel responsible for any excesses. I find it very serious to draw a parallel between my project and any facilitation of terrorism. »
