As immigration attacks continue nationwide, a new controversial iOS app warning users of ICE activities has sparked full-scale political and legal fires by officials from the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and Trump administration, threatening legal action.
However, Joshua Aaron, the creator of the app, says he hasn’t stepped back.
“I chose what was happening in this country. Decryption In an interview. “What are they doing to our friends, our neighbors, those who are the immigrant communities that make this country so amazing? It made me sick.”
Iceblock’s scrutiny escalated after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi escalated after criticising the app during an interview. Fox News.
“Our ice agents and federal officials, especially those of the Joint Task Force, should be at risk,” Bondy said. “He signaled the criminals where our federal officers are and we can’t do that.”
“We’re looking at it and we’re looking at him,” she added. “It’s not a protected speech, it’s a threat to the lives of law enforcement agencies around the country, so he should be careful.”
The Department of Justice declined Decrypt’s Request a comment.
Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyon reflected criticism for 500% attacks on federal agents, denounced apps such as ice blocks and media outlets that cover them.
“CNNPromotion of the “Ice Spotting” app is reckless and irresponsible,” the Lions said in a statement.
Aaron, a software developer and lead singer of rock band Stealing Heather, released Ice Block in April. The app warns in real time to report ice activity within a 5-mile radius in real time, avoiding immigrant enforcement encounters. It quickly climbed to the top of the Apple App Store social networking category.
Aaron said Decryption The ice block has been downloaded over 100,000 times. The disclaimer also points out that the app “may use your location even if it’s not open”, but Aaron says it is completely anonymous.
“We don’t want anything to be discovered,” he said. “So this is 100% anonymous and free for those who want to use it.”
The Android version does not occur as Google’s platform requires user data to be stored. Here’s what he refuses to do: “No one wants to do anything harm.”
Aaron also opposed allegations that the app promotes illegal or at-risk law enforcement.
“This app is when you’re walking down the street and on your phone four blocks away, you receive a notification on your phone that ice has been found.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem was so mad at Iceblock that she called for prosecution. CNNsimply to report to the app.
“We are working with the Department of Justice to encourage them to actively encourage them to avoid law enforcement work what they are doing,” Noem told reporters during a tour of Florida’s ice detention center known as the “Wannial Catraz.”
In a shared statement DecryptionNoem said: “Our brave ice law enforcement is facing a 500% increase in attacks on them. If you interfere or assault our law enforcement, we will corner you and you will be charged to the fullest extent of the law.”
Despite criticism, Aaron said he knew the risk when he decided to launch the Ice Block app.
“You need to know you’re going to come in. If you’re pushed back to a government that explicitly supports authoritarianism and thinks it’s problematic about anything you want to do, you’re concerned about the constitution, breaking the law, you care.
Edited by Andrew Hayward
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