Hi John,

Apple and Google are helping the government by censoring apps from their app stores, including tools that help communities protect themselves from ICE and state surveillance.

Recently, Apple and Google agreed to government requests to remove ICE tracking apps off their app stores. The apps removed include RedDot¹ and ICEBlock,² both apps that let people report sightings of ICE officers, and Eyes Up,³ an app that archives videos of ICE abuses and preserves evidence until it can be used in court. Although the apps are totally legal⁴, these tech companies made the choice to do the government’s bidding and take them down. Tell Apple and Google: don’t bow to fascism by helping the government censor apps.

This is not just about ICE tracking apps. Over the years, we’ve seen Apple and Google restrict everything from protest tools to encrypted messaging apps,⁵ claiming it’s for “security” or “policy violations”. Yet tons of fake and spam apps make their way onto the app stores every year.⁶⁷⁸

Big Tech sucking up to government in this way puts us at great risk. Helping government surveillance efforts puts real people in danger and sets a terrible precedent where the Trump Administration gets to decide what apps we can and can’t access. Today, that’s ICE tracking apps. Tomorrow, who knows? That’s why we need to take action now to stop this practice.

Tech companies are more concerned with protecting their profits and political relationships than protecting users. If we let app stores continue to decide what tools people can access, it gives governments and powerful interests a shortcut to suppress dissent, limit expression, and silence vulnerable communities. Tech giants should not decide what tools we can or can't use to protect ourselves. It is important that we push back now or access to more vital apps used by vulnerable groups such as immigrants, activists, and targeted individuals will be at risk. Tell Apple and Google: Stop the censorship. Stop doing the government’s dirty work. Let us choose the apps we need.

Thank you for fighting with us,

Ese at Fight for the Future

Footnotes

Fight for the Future, PO Box 55071 #95005, Boston, MA 02205
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