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Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

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Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#71

Post by argsnd »

thrance wrote: post #64
nerdponx wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is literally how extortion by organized crime works. It's the same mechanism. Of course they'll be back for more, but if you don't give them your money, they will beat the shit out of you and then come back for more anyway. You know what's expected of you, and the alternatives are generally much worse. Incidentally it's also a textbook presentation of the Manufacturing Consent Propaganda model, except it's not o…

Except Apple and Google are incredibly powerful, and the Trump administration has shown they mostly fail to follow on their threats (yet, at least). If some entities are able to stand up against the nascent fascist regime, it's them. But as we all know, corporations and fascism are like peanut butter and jelly.

I think the Trump administration has been rather good at following through on their threats. US import tariffs are insanely high right now and he's been able to successfully fire whoever he wants.

All Trump has to do to destroy eg. Apple is get rid of the exemption from the tariffs they've been given for electronics manufactured in India.

Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#72

Post by arcatech »

chvid wrote: post #27
b00ty4breakfast wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He'd probably be up to his eyeballs in magic crystals and antivax nonsense by now

Lol - exactly - why do people expect the politics or broader principles of Steve Jobs to be any good?

This might give you some insight: https://www.anildash.com/2025/09/09/how-tim-cook-sold-out-st...

Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#73

Post by Y_Y »

raffael_de wrote: post #47

Neither ICEBlock nor Red Dot are OSS. Seems a little hypocritical. Why not provide the code on GitHub? Why not offer alternative download sources?

Seems to me like it would be a great opportunity to make a list of subversives, judt by exfiltrating their identity via the "app". Cooperation from the developer is optional.

There's precious little reason to distribute as an app, except for exploiting the user. If all you wanted to do was show things on a map then the web is already well set up for that. In fact the apps are probably just embedding a web browser anyway (haven't checked).

I'm no fan of ICE, but I wouldn't trust these developers either.

Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#74

Post by axus »

0xy wrote: post #57
tdeck wrote: post #50

> “removed apps that share the location of what it describes as a vulnerable group after a recent violent act against them connected to this sort of app" Apparently armed, masked thugs covered in body armor dragging people off the street for the federal government count as a "vulnerable group" now?

[flagged]

I think that attack was independent of the app. Everybody is "vulnerable" to bullets, perhaps they should ban the guns instead of the app?

Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#75

Post by greesil »

nerdponx wrote: post #35
captainkrtek wrote: post #19

Hmm how different is this fundamentally from the ability to report police locations (speedtraps) in Google Maps?

You know why...

No I think the parent is saying why not use Waze or whatever in an off brand way.

Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#77

Post by howieburger »

Workaccount2 wrote: post #42
chvid wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lol - exactly - why do people expect the politics or broader principles of Steve Jobs to be any good?

The dude literally tried to cure his cancer with fruit. There would probably be an RFK edition iPhone.

Given what has been learned through neuroscience, how ossified and normalized for life most become, it feels like a good argument can be made much of the elder cohort is stuck in a pseudo religious and pseudoscience middle ground of thought.

Most > 50 were born into a more traditional and religion-centric life and only adopted technology. The first generation educated along vaguely scientific lines.

In the US at least, born after 1980 is roughly when opinions begin to veer into favor of empiricism and less "anything goes" new age woo and post world war extravagant capitalism due to being the only functioning manufacturing economy after the war.

Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#78

Post by myko »

0xy wrote: post #57
tdeck wrote: post #50

> “removed apps that share the location of what it describes as a vulnerable group after a recent violent act against them connected to this sort of app" Apparently armed, masked thugs covered in body armor dragging people off the street for the federal government count as a "vulnerable group" now?

[flagged]

Yes, more extremist rightwing violence that targeted vulnerable people (immigrants ICE were treating as subhuman)

Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#79

Post by davidw »

argsnd wrote: post #71
thrance wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except Apple and Google are incredibly powerful, and the Trump administration has shown they mostly fail to follow on their threats (yet, at least). If some entities are able to stand up against the nascent fascist regime, it's them. But as we all know, corporations and fascism are like peanut butter and jelly.

I think the Trump administration has been rather good at following through on their threats. US import tariffs are insanely high right now and he's been able to successfully fire whoever he wants. All Trump has to do to destroy eg. Apple is get rid of the exemption from the tariffs they've been given for electronics manufactured in India.

I mean, Jimmy Kimmel won and Apple is way more powerful with far deeper pockets.

This admin isn't all powerful, as much as they try and project that image. Apple and I think Google have a pretty big reservoir of good will among the public at large.

These folks won't be in power forever, but the cowardice of people like Tim Cook will always be remembered.

Re: Google removes ICE-spotting app following Apple's ICEBlock crackdown

#80

Post by craftkiller »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #63
craftkiller wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah the old "I want freedom but I refuse to accept any inconvenience to get it"

I don't know how I would live my life without access to mainstream mobile apps. I have to use an app to pay for the laundry machine in my apartment building. At school—I'm a teacher nowadays—we use an app to mark student attendance during fire drills. Freedom of speech should not require living in the woods secluded from society. It is the responsibility of all of us— especially major institutions—to work to preserve…

> laundry

Keep an old android phone in a drawer somewhere. Take it out when you do laundry.

> mark student attendance

If your workplace requires you to use an app then your workplace can issue you a phone that you keep at work. I don't use my personal devices for anything work-related and you shouldn't either.

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