Why does this need to be an app?
Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
101–110 of 645 posts
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#102Can the same functionality be accomplished with mobile web?
can they do push notification (e.g. when ICE agents show up near your zipcode)
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#103Google is making it so sideloading APKs on Android is no longer possible. This is one of many great reasons why that should not happen.
Google disputes that: https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/09/lets-talk-...
For clarity, they're requiring apps to be signed by a verified developer on certified Android devices. You can still side load, but the verification is still required for the side loaded apps.
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#104Google is making it so sideloading APKs on Android is no longer possible. This is one of many great reasons why that should not happen.
I agree with you, but can we stop calling installing software on the hardware you own "sideloading"?
Yeah, we should just ironically lean into it even harder and call it “backdooring”.
Jokes aside, when has pandering to people to change the status quo of colloquial word use ever worked?
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#105FWIW, everyone who claims that Apple fundamentally needs the centralized ability to control apps on their platforms "for everyone's safety" -- despite how that obviously and repeatedly makes them become patsies for governments all over the world to enforce their censorship regimes -- are complicit in this stuff (in addition, of course, to the people who build it at Apple...).
The problem isn't the centralized control, it's the power the governments have.
I guess that iphones will be alright when no government in the world will have that power anymore, then
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#106FWIW, everyone who claims that Apple fundamentally needs the centralized ability to control apps on their platforms "for everyone's safety" -- despite how that obviously and repeatedly makes them become patsies for governments all over the world to enforce their censorship regimes -- are complicit in this stuff (in addition, of course, to the people who build it at Apple...).
The problem isn't the centralized control, it's the power the governments have.
It's both. Apple very intentionaly designs their phones so that they can immediately cut off their user's access to various apps with the flip of a switch and no recourse. It's obvious that this has and will continue to be abused.
At the same time the government of an ostensibly free country that values free speech should absolutely not be making these demands.
At this point I expect such behavior from this administration, they aren't pretending to be anything other than incompetent and corrupt.
Shame on Apple for helping these scumbags, now and in the future.
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#107Can the same functionality be accomplished with mobile web?
Apple is working hard to make sure the answer is no (by not implementing advanced PWA APIs in WebKit and by not allowing other browser engines on iOS).
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#108Does it have to be an application? Why not just a website?
can website do push notification? (e.g. when ICE agents show up near your zipcode)
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#109This is exactly what's wrong with Apple's app store exclusivity. It's also what's wrong with mandatory notarization where regulations forbid that, and Google's plan to require developer verification.
Websites don’t need an App Store.
For how long?
The software on our primary machines used to not need blessing, but that too changed.
Re: Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from DOJ
#110FWIW, everyone who claims that Apple fundamentally needs the centralized ability to control apps on their platforms "for everyone's safety" -- despite how that obviously and repeatedly makes them become patsies for governments all over the world to enforce their censorship regimes -- are complicit in this stuff (in addition, of course, to the people who build it at Apple...).
Any clue how Apple is justifying this? What rules did these apps allegedly break?
Is it blocked globally, or only for U.S. app store phones? Are downloads blocked, or is the app being removed from phones it's already on?