The creator of ICEBlock, a popular ICE-spotting app that Apple removed after direct pressure from the Department of Justice, is suing Attorney General Pam Bondi and other top officials, arguing that the demand violated his First Amendment rights.
The move is the latest in the ongoing crackdown on ICE-spotting apps and other information about the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort. Both Apple and Google have removed other similar apps from their app stores, with Apple also removing one called Eyes Up that simply archived videos of ICE abuses.
“A lawsuit is the only mechanism that can bring transparency, accountability, and a binding judicial remedy when government officials cross constitutional lines. If we don’t challenge this conduct in court, it will become a playbook for future censorship,” Joshua Aaron, the creator of ICEBlock, told 404 Media. The lawsuit also targets Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Tom Homan, the White House’s Border Czar.
Ultimately, the lawsuit aims to obtain a “judicial declaration” that the actions of Bondi and others violated Aaron’s First Amendment rights. “But more broadly, the purpose is to hold government officials accountable for using their authority to silence lawful expression and intimidate creators of technology they disfavor,” Aaron said. “This case is about ensuring that public officials cannot circumvent the Constitution by coercing private companies or threatening individuals simply because they disagree with the message or the tool being created.”
Do you know anything else about this removal? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at joseph.404 or send me an email at joseph@404media.co.
The supreme court said states could change election maps a year before the election but the courts couldnt block unconstitutional maps a year before the election...
this court is not going to give a fuck about the app. They'll either decide apple has the right to remove it, or the government has interest in protecting the security of its officiers. they will make up what ever they feel like it, much like they penciled in trumps immunity into article II despite historically and textually, it can not be supported.
It's absolutely absurd that our GPS apps now integrate user based police reporting and this is just built into google maps yet for some reason the exact same basic function of users reporting police activity is something you can just browbeat a company into removing. I am not great apple fan but they used to stand up to this kind of thing and you'd think the defense is literally right there - Mapping apps disclose police location at all times, there is clear precedent for this being tolerated we will not remove this unless a court order.
After the absolute shitshow around things like hunter biden's penis it's constantly just depressing how often "it's different when I do it" is the defining party line of the current administration.
The Supreme Court has been comprimised, they are EXPECTING lawsuits which the corrupt cort will turn donw. Yh'all need to find alternative ways of fighting hte power
Probably, but how does merely speaking about them interfere? You have a right to film the police, why would you not have a right to say where you are filming them right now?
If others choose to interfere based on that information, well interfering is already a crime that they can enforce. So doing so for merely speaking about it is prior restraint.
I agree, it should be allowed under first amendment rights and the current administration is breaking tons of laws. Flooding the courts with backlog cases seems to be part of the plan, but that is a different discussion.
The app stores on any device and from any company are still subject to what the company allows on them. There’s no requirement that someone or something that opens up a digital marketplace let every app know to man on as long as it doesn’t violate the law. I don’t see this going anywhere as it doesn’t appear they’re blocking the developer from putting the app up for download otherwise, like some apps choose to do (see Amazon). Developers just want to reach as many people and naturally a store is a way to do that, but again, no one is guaranteed by law space in a store.
This is not about stores choosing which app they want or don't want to host - that's okay and they can do that. However, if a store was pressured by the government not to host a certain app, that's a completely different situation. If the government can get away with this, and if the public allows it, the next step is government telling TV channels which stories to run and which not, film industry, which movies to make and which not, and so on.
Both Apple and this developer are victims, but Apple is at the mercy of the government and won't bring a suit. (FCC, FTC, DOJ, CPB, Treasury... ).
You, pillbinge, do not have a right to start transactions with other parties against their wills. If I use force to threaten your associates into refusing to do business with you, then both of you are injured.
If I do that because of your speech, then it is a free-speech problem too. For the US government, that is illegal.
The discovery may be more of the point than the judgment. With an outstanding lawsuit, any records about whether DHS told Apple or Google to remove the app become discoverable. That would be a huge story if so - it's not private companies censoring an app then, it's the government, which then falls into 1st amendment territory. Probably also why 404 Media is so interested in the case. Even if they don't win, it's good for clicks.
>there’s no requirement that someone or something that opens up a digital marketplace let every app know to man on as long as it doesn’t violate the law.
Actually, there is. See apple makes apps as well, and not letting in other apps that do not break the law, could open them up to unfair trade practices and that happens all the time.
did you not see the epic games suit against apple and android?
and last the problem is the GOVERNMENT forced them to remove it.. and thats a huge violation of the 1st if the app didnt break any laws.
and even you should see that. If the gov forced your business to fire you because you said obama sucks, you might be upset. If the gov forced walmart to stop buying from your business because you didnt like left wingers, youd be upset and sue under the 1st. But because you support trump suddenly you dont see government over reach.
Quote me where I said I support Trump. My whole profile is open for you to browse. Otherwise that’s an issue with Apple and it doesn’t appear major corporations care about government unless it really affects them. In this case they probably don’t care.
I think if the app falls under Title VII it would be guaranteed space if the reason for denial is tied directly to a protected class. I'm not a lawyer but it's not like the US legal system is a logical system, just a dispute resolution system based on Anglo-Saxon cultural norms so reasonable people can comment as justly as any lawyer (if not more so due to less indoctrination).
[OP] 404mediaco | 2 months ago
The creator of ICEBlock, a popular ICE-spotting app that Apple removed after direct pressure from the Department of Justice, is suing Attorney General Pam Bondi and other top officials, arguing that the demand violated his First Amendment rights.
The move is the latest in the ongoing crackdown on ICE-spotting apps and other information about the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort. Both Apple and Google have removed other similar apps from their app stores, with Apple also removing one called Eyes Up that simply archived videos of ICE abuses.
“A lawsuit is the only mechanism that can bring transparency, accountability, and a binding judicial remedy when government officials cross constitutional lines. If we don’t challenge this conduct in court, it will become a playbook for future censorship,” Joshua Aaron, the creator of ICEBlock, told 404 Media. The lawsuit also targets Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Tom Homan, the White House’s Border Czar.
Ultimately, the lawsuit aims to obtain a “judicial declaration” that the actions of Bondi and others violated Aaron’s First Amendment rights. “But more broadly, the purpose is to hold government officials accountable for using their authority to silence lawful expression and intimidate creators of technology they disfavor,” Aaron said. “This case is about ensuring that public officials cannot circumvent the Constitution by coercing private companies or threatening individuals simply because they disagree with the message or the tool being created.”
Do you know anything else about this removal? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at joseph.404 or send me an email at joseph@404media.co.
Read more: https://www.404media.co/iceblock-creator-sues-u-s-government-over-apps-removal/
powercow | 2 months ago
The supreme court said states could change election maps a year before the election but the courts couldnt block unconstitutional maps a year before the election...
this court is not going to give a fuck about the app. They'll either decide apple has the right to remove it, or the government has interest in protecting the security of its officiers. they will make up what ever they feel like it, much like they penciled in trumps immunity into article II despite historically and textually, it can not be supported.
hotfistdotcom | 2 months ago
Unpaywalled: https://archive.is/t1EHY
It's absolutely absurd that our GPS apps now integrate user based police reporting and this is just built into google maps yet for some reason the exact same basic function of users reporting police activity is something you can just browbeat a company into removing. I am not great apple fan but they used to stand up to this kind of thing and you'd think the defense is literally right there - Mapping apps disclose police location at all times, there is clear precedent for this being tolerated we will not remove this unless a court order.
After the absolute shitshow around things like hunter biden's penis it's constantly just depressing how often "it's different when I do it" is the defining party line of the current administration.
Jazzlike-Vacation230 | 2 months ago
The Supreme Court has been comprimised, they are EXPECTING lawsuits which the corrupt cort will turn donw. Yh'all need to find alternative ways of fighting hte power
mycall | 2 months ago
"Interfering with federal investigations and criminal enforcement" would be my guess how this was handled.
manimal28 | 2 months ago
Probably, but how does merely speaking about them interfere? You have a right to film the police, why would you not have a right to say where you are filming them right now?
If others choose to interfere based on that information, well interfering is already a crime that they can enforce. So doing so for merely speaking about it is prior restraint.
mycall | 2 months ago
I agree, it should be allowed under first amendment rights and the current administration is breaking tons of laws. Flooding the courts with backlog cases seems to be part of the plan, but that is a different discussion.
seanluke | 2 months ago
"This post is for paid members only"
This post was clearly a ploy by 404media to boost subscriptions.
Mods: there should be a rule on TrueReddit banning any stories behind paywalls unless the link goes to a paywall workaround.
pillbinge | 2 months ago
The app stores on any device and from any company are still subject to what the company allows on them. There’s no requirement that someone or something that opens up a digital marketplace let every app know to man on as long as it doesn’t violate the law. I don’t see this going anywhere as it doesn’t appear they’re blocking the developer from putting the app up for download otherwise, like some apps choose to do (see Amazon). Developers just want to reach as many people and naturally a store is a way to do that, but again, no one is guaranteed by law space in a store.
Yerbulan | 2 months ago
This is not about stores choosing which app they want or don't want to host - that's okay and they can do that. However, if a store was pressured by the government not to host a certain app, that's a completely different situation. If the government can get away with this, and if the public allows it, the next step is government telling TV channels which stories to run and which not, film industry, which movies to make and which not, and so on.
SWEARNOTKGB | 2 months ago
Exactly, im not sure why People are missing the big picture but once again its government interference.
At this point aby criticism for authoritarianism from the US is moot internationally speaking.
chadmill3r | 2 months ago
The developer's complaint is not with Apple.
Both Apple and this developer are victims, but Apple is at the mercy of the government and won't bring a suit. (FCC, FTC, DOJ, CPB, Treasury... ).
You, pillbinge, do not have a right to start transactions with other parties against their wills. If I use force to threaten your associates into refusing to do business with you, then both of you are injured.
If I do that because of your speech, then it is a free-speech problem too. For the US government, that is illegal.
nostrademons | 2 months ago
The discovery may be more of the point than the judgment. With an outstanding lawsuit, any records about whether DHS told Apple or Google to remove the app become discoverable. That would be a huge story if so - it's not private companies censoring an app then, it's the government, which then falls into 1st amendment territory. Probably also why 404 Media is so interested in the case. Even if they don't win, it's good for clicks.
powercow | 2 months ago
>there’s no requirement that someone or something that opens up a digital marketplace let every app know to man on as long as it doesn’t violate the law.
Actually, there is. See apple makes apps as well, and not letting in other apps that do not break the law, could open them up to unfair trade practices and that happens all the time.
did you not see the epic games suit against apple and android?
and last the problem is the GOVERNMENT forced them to remove it.. and thats a huge violation of the 1st if the app didnt break any laws.
and even you should see that. If the gov forced your business to fire you because you said obama sucks, you might be upset. If the gov forced walmart to stop buying from your business because you didnt like left wingers, youd be upset and sue under the 1st. But because you support trump suddenly you dont see government over reach.
pillbinge | 2 months ago
Quote me where I said I support Trump. My whole profile is open for you to browse. Otherwise that’s an issue with Apple and it doesn’t appear major corporations care about government unless it really affects them. In this case they probably don’t care.
ForestClanElite | 2 months ago
I think if the app falls under Title VII it would be guaranteed space if the reason for denial is tied directly to a protected class. I'm not a lawyer but it's not like the US legal system is a logical system, just a dispute resolution system based on Anglo-Saxon cultural norms so reasonable people can comment as justly as any lawyer (if not more so due to less indoctrination).
joeTaco | 2 months ago
this goes beyond not reading the article to not reading the headline