Apple Takes Down Ice Tracking Apps in Response to Trump Pressure Campaign
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Apple removed ICE tracking apps from the App Store following pressure from the Trump campaign, sparking debate about tech companies' role in government surveillance and political pressure.
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> In a statement, Apple said it had taken down ICEBlock, and other similar apps, after being contacted by “law enforcement,” but it did not specify which agency or agencies had contacted it and did not say which other apps it had removed. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
> Trump administration officials have issued several legal threats over the use of ICEBlock — or even simply reporting on it. Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, said in July that the Justice Department was investigating whether it could prosecute CNN for reporting on the app’s existence, arguing that it amounted to “actively encouraging people to avoid law enforcement activities.” It is unclear what crime that would amount to.
> Pam Bondi, the attorney general, also said the Justice Department was “looking at” Joshua Aaron, the creator of the app, adding that “he better watch out.”
Related action from google today Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown (139 points, 117 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45472799