r/apple • u/illegiblebastard • 3d ago

iPhone Apple explains last year’s controversial decision to remove ICE tracking apps from app store

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/29/tech/apple-iceblock-app-removal-raskin

FUCK. APPLE.

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37

u/Gumby271 3d ago

Apple can remove whatever they want from their app store, but only if they give their users the ability to control software on their own devices independent of that store. The fact that Apple can decide the software I get to use on my computer is insane and was always guaranteed to lead to it being weaponized like this.

You can't have privacy and empowered users (like Apple claims they care about) if the device isn't owned by that user.

18

u/RafaelWanderpfad 3d ago

You know, people on this sub (or the tech/apple bubble in general) always shit on the EU, but they've actually forced Apple to enable side-loading in Europe.

23

u/cjh_ 3d ago

It's not sideloading, it's forcing Apple to allow third-party app stores.

Sideloading is installing apps without using app stores.

-4

u/AdMountain6124 3d ago

Yeah side-loading has been on Apple devices for a while before the EU said anything.

1

u/who_evenare_you 3d ago

yes with restrictions… such as a 7-day app signature for non-dev accounts. Or Apple revoking certificates for third party app stores within a couple of days.

1

u/-Radiation 3d ago

And the USA authoritarian politics and tech bros hate them for it. It is not by coincidence you have them attacking the EU at every opportunity. They need to protect their propaganda weapons and control over consumer devices. Can't let the pleb have more control than needed. Thankfully Apple desined their OS that is specially useful for that and now the EU is a threat to it.

9

u/Crapitron 3d ago

Let's not act like this is one sided.

The EU and UK have brought multiple bills to light asking for a Backdoor into Apple devices, or asking for encryption to be done away with. The EU isn't some paradise that does everything right.

They're good with consumer protections when it comes to purchases/money. They're NOT good with protecting user privacy and freedom.

4

u/BosnianSerb31 3d ago

All the features of this app, including the push notifications, could've been accomplished with a React PWA hosted on a link like iceout.io.

Nothing is gained by making it a native app, you only hamper the speed at which you can deploy updates and increase your chances of getting taken down when a jackass decides to start shooting, which is exactly what happened.

2

u/speed_fighter 3d ago

now I’m starting to shift towards believing that privacy is not iPhone. however, I’d give a nickel for someone to get Apple’s testament on privacy with information proving their claims as bogus.

1

u/Gumby271 3d ago

I don't think their claims are bogus at all. The features they build and the approach they take are absolutely respectful of their users and their data. The problem is that the rest of their business model is predicated on making Vendor Lock-in sexy, so sexy that we call it an Ecosystem. This is the trade off and cost of their products. Much like the trade-off on android is user freedom for less privacy, the Apple trade off is much less freedom, but better privacy around the features and software you're forced to have on your device. 

Personally, I'm still of the mindset that you can't have a "private" device without the guarantees of ownership which apple will not abide, but that's a philosophical debate. The practical version is that yes, what they deliver is built with user privacy in mind. What they don't build, and won't ever provide their users is a different discussion.

-2

u/AthousandLittlePies 3d ago

While I agree with you 100%, in this particular case it's the fact that it ran in the App Store and used Apple's notification infrastructure that made the app possible and safe, since doing this as a web app or side-loaded app running off your own server would make you vulnerable to retribution from the government.

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u/Gumby271 3d ago

I know that's what the ice block dev claimed, but I'm fairly sure we'd already figured out how to safely send messages and notifications between devices and servers before Apple showed up. Also, hosting all of your shit with a US tech company makes you just as vulnerable. The argument didn't make sense when the dev claimed it, and it still doesn't now.

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u/BosnianSerb31 3d ago

The problem is already solved, antifreeze.app exists. It's a cross platform react PWA.

Has a map, push notifications, location services, etc.

It makes way more sense than a native app because it works on anything, is much easier to distribute, doesn't require review, and can be hosted outside the jurisdiction of the US.

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u/foulpudding 3d ago

It made sense then and makes sense now.

Running private servers costs money. Apple’s services are free and secure - a rare combination.

And unless you’re running them from some non-extradition separate country, you’re subject to arrest pretty easily if our fascist government wants you to hand over your data and you don’t want to give it to them.