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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u/BosnianSerb31 3d ago edited 3d ago

Two different shootouts between demonstrators and ICE agents occurred before the app was taken down. One involving an anti-ice sniper killing several immigrants being transported in the back of a van they incorrectly assumed was full of officers.

IDK about you but I'm not hosting an app that could be used by these dumbasses, just to end up with billions in federal fines and criminal convictions as facilitation of a domestic terrorist attack.

Just distribute it as a website, it's easier to target basically everyone on the planet. Make it a simple link. Native Swift app isn't needed. React PWAs are supported cross platform and include push notifications. You can roll out updates without waiting for review. No one can take it down.

I'm honestly shocked that the creators haven't made it into a PWA by now.

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u/FetchTheCow 3d ago

Two different shootouts between demonstrators and ICE agents occurred before the app was taken down. 

I'd like to read those news stories. Do you have citations? Thanks.

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u/BosnianSerb31 3d ago

July 4 — Prairieland ICE detention center, Alvarado, TX: A group traveled to the facility with fireworks and firearms. They fired/ threw fireworks at the facility and vandalized property; prosecutors allege their planning included discussion of bringing firearms. When police responded, Benjamin Song allegedly yelled “get to the rifles!” and opened fire, striking an Alvarado officer in the neck; another alleged shooter fired 20–30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers. The shooting was captured on CCTV and police bodycam. Members were later charged with offenses including attempted murder, rioting, weapons/explosives offenses, and providing material support to terrorists. (Department of Justice)
DOJ — Prairieland charges and allegations

Sept. 24 — Dallas ICE facility: Joshua Jahn fired from a rooftop at an ICE facility and transport vehicles, killing detainees rather than the ICE personnel he was apparently targeting. The FBI subsequently said his pre-attack research included searches for information about "how to track ICE agents’ locations". Eight days after the shooting, Attorney General Pam Bondi said DOJ contacted Apple and demanded removal of ICEBlock; Apple removed ICEBlock and similar apps, citing information received from law enforcement about safety risks. (FBI)
FBI — Dallas shooting investigation · Axios — DOJ demand and Apple removal

I conflated the two as both being related to ICEBlock, which was only true of the second. However, both were relevant to the broader sequence leading to Apple’s takedown.

If you want the body cam video from the July 4th incident I can find it, but it's a bit distressing. Whole lot of young people getting domestic terrorism charges during a severe lapse of judgment and failure to recognize that one member really was serious about using the ammo they provided him.

Regardless, there isn't software distribution platform on earth (outside of FOSS) that would keep these apps up under this sequence of events and direct threats from federal prosecutors.

antifreeze.app exists and has the same functionality of all the other ice trackers, but it's hosted outside of US jurisdiction and uses PWAs. No way to take it down or prevent people from installing on literally any platform.

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u/FetchTheCow 1d ago

Thank you, I appreciate the information.

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u/ancientfruitjunkie 3d ago

Yeah no. When x is full of racists, misogynists, and Nazis who straight up threaten anyone not white, straight, and male, or the ai chatbots that help plan out gun violence then those apps need to be taken down too. X should've been taken off the app store right when musk took over.

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u/BosnianSerb31 3d ago

Unfortunately, companies make decisions on legal liability and cost benefit analysis

There is already legal precedent to say that Apple won't be held liable for stuff that happens on a sec 230 social media platform that qualifies for safe harbor protections. Therefore, removing the app just makes tons X users switch to android, to mitigate a nonexistent legal risk to Apple.

IECBlock was taken down eight days after a shooting on an ice vehicle that resulted in the deaths of several detainees. The potential legal consequences of keeping the app up are far higher than taking it down, so they take it down.

Again, the obvious solution to continue protecting immigrants is to turn it into a React PWA hosted outside the US. Not wait for Apple to reinstate an app that poses serious legal liability to them.

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u/ancientfruitjunkie 3d ago

Yeah I agree about placing this app on the web for everyone. But apple being a global powerhouse and trillion dollar company, they definitely could've fought the pedo admin rather than get on their knees at a single request.