On Thursday, Oct 2, Apple complied with a DOJ demand to remove the app from its App Store and removed a few other ICE tracking apps while they were at it. Pam Bondi is taking credit for it.
Since the app never had an Android version, it was not on Google's Play Store. However, that same day, Google removed other ICE tracking apps. as well, even though they said they had not been contacted by the DOJ. They apparently obeyed in advance.
A majority of Apple's iPhones are manufactured in China, making the company particularly at risk to tariff policies. The White House has floated potential taxes on imports of chips included in devices that would hit the company's substantial imports from China and other countries. In other words, Apple has a vested interest in complying with the trump administration, especially since this administration has demonstrated over and over just how vindictive they can be. In August, Tim Cook, Apple CEO gave trump a 24-karat gold plaque, "a move that has come to symbolize Silicon Valley's deference to the president".
"I think many large organizations are trying to keep their metaphorical heads down and act cautiously, even when the government is acting improperly or even unconstitutionally," said Gautam Hans, a law professor at Cornell University, who believes Apple would have a jawboning case but does not expect the company to pursue it. "Compliance will only incentivize further government demands."
Kate Ruane, Director of the Center for Democracy and Technology's Free Expression Project, said Apple's move should also be viewed as the government's heavy hand muzzling free expression. "When companies agree to the administration's demands in order to achieve some other goal, whether it be avoiding tariffs or getting merger approval, they send a message to others that it's ok to do the same,"Ruane said. "What's worse, they erode the promise of the First Amendment for all of us at the same time."
Other Options
If someone has already downloaded ICEBlock to their iPhone, it will continue to work there, but it will be impossible for the app to be updated.
Also, popular navigation apps like Waze, Google Maps and Apple’s own Maps app, allows users to report ICY CONDITIONS, which people understand is a warning.
Sherman Austin founded Stop ICE Raids Alert Network in February. Also known as StopICE.Net, Austin’s platform uses crowdsourcing, but allows its users to track ICE activity online or through text alerts, without the need to download a separate app. Austin says the platform has reached more than 500,000 subscribers as of Friday. --- Last month, the platform said it learned that the Department of Homeland Security has subpoenaed Meta for data on StopICE.Net’s Instagram account.
Sources
Apple's ICEBlock takedown shows how easily Washington can pull the plug on the internet - Business Insider. "Once you've discovered you can make Apple or Google do your bidding, why stop? That bell is hard to un-ring."
Apple removes ICE tracking apps after pressure by Trump administration - Reuters. "Six legal experts have told Reuters that surveillance of ICE is largely protected under the U.S. Constitution — as long as the activists don't interfere with that work. Courts have long held that recording law enforcement activities in public areas is legal."
Apple and Google block apps that crowdsource ICE sightings. Some warn of chilling effects - AP. “What really worries me is the kind of precedent that this sets” where the government can “basically dictate what kinds of apps people have on their phones,” said civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo, who works at Harvard University’s Cyberlaw Clinic.
Legal experts condemn Apple bowing to White House's request to remove ICE tracking app - NPR. "Apple's action has reignited the debate about what's known as jawboning, when government officials censor speech through intimidation and threats."
Let them know what you think!
The trump administration applies pressure, but the public has power, too. Both of these companies have products that they like to sell us. They need to be reminded that we have other options!!!
Will the next phone I buy be an iPhone? I already dropped Apple TV. Will I ever give it another go? Will my next laptop be made by Apple? I am liking Apple policies less and less and as much as I like my devices, I am definitely willing to give them up when I make my next purchase. &^%$#@!
As for Google, I have been steadily weaning them from my life. After a great deal of research, I decided on Proton Mail. It's based in Switzerland and offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can read the messages. It was launched in 2014 and is known for prioritizing user privacy and data security. Google is no longer my default search engine. I did lots of research on that as well. First, I read articles about the pros and cons of different search engines, then I selected the most promising ones and tested them out in side by side searches for a while. I ended up with DuckDuckGo as the default, because of the choices in the Apple settings, it was the least offensive. Its results often mimic the Google results. It leans a tad right as well. But usually, when I do a search I go to SwissCows. I have it bookmarked in my FAVORITES.
CONTACT APPLE
1 Apple Park Way
Cupertino, California, 95014-0642
1-408-606-5775
CONTACT GOOGLE
1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy. Mountain View, CA 94043.1-650-253-0000
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If you want to write or call someone who is not on this page, check the CONTACTS PAGE. I have ready info for those I contact frequently. This page ALSO has links to help you easily find others - senators, representatives, committee members, etc.
ALSO, check out the TIPS AND RESOURCES page for links to resources that I truly believe you will find helpful.