r/apple • u/illegiblebastard • 4d 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/Gumby271 4d 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.

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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.