Santa Serenade: Portland Protest Against Apple’s ICEBlock Ban

Protests are ongoing outside an Apple Store in Portland, Oregon, where demonstrators in Santa suits are gathering to dance, sing, and voice their opposition to the removal of the ICEBlock app from the App Store.

A group of about thirty protestors gathered outside the Apple Pioneer Place store on December 9. Additional demonstrations under the theme “Protest Apple’s Censorship” are scheduled for December 13 and December 20 from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. PST, as indicated on the event page.

In response to a demand from Attorney General Pam Bondi, Apple removed the ICEBlock app from the App Store in October, alleging that it was being used to target ICE agents. Although new users are unable to download the app, it is still functional on iOS devices where it was previously installed.

Following the removal of ICEBlock, Apple also took down other related apps from the App Store, even those not utilizing location data. For instance, the app Eyes Up, which served as an archive for videos and articles documenting ICE activities under the current administration, was also removed. The creators used the app to store TikToks, Instagram reels, news reports, and other videos that could potentially provide evidence of ICE abuses.

Google followed suit by removing all ICE-related Android apps from the Google Play Store.

While the protests are unlikely to prompt the reinstatement of the app on the App Store, they do communicate to Apple that numerous users are dissatisfied with the removal of ICEBlock and similar apps.

Apple has been confronted with challenging decisions in recent times, navigating governmental requests from various countries, including the United Kingdom, China, Russia, and the United States.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been treading carefully since President Donald Trump assumed office, striving to maintain a delicate balance to avoid drawing the administration’s ire.

Although Apple’s decision in the ICEBlock case has sparked controversy, the company is obligated to its shareholders. Compliance with government demands and managing some backlash from protesters is deemed preferable to explaining to investors why the company is facing additional tariffs and sanctions.

Apple stated, “We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps. Based on information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store.”

On December 8th, iDrop News reported that the developer of ICEBlock, Joshua Aaron, filed a federal complaint in the District of Columbia, seeking a jury trial. The complaint alleged unconstitutional threats against Apple and Aaron, along with a violation of Aaron’s First Amendment rights. The filing highlighted that, for the first time in Apple’s nearly fifty-year history, the company removed a U.S.-based app in response to government demands.

As the legal battle unfolds, protestors are expected to continue demonstrating outside the Portland Apple Store.

Individuals interested in joining the protest can access further details on the event page. Singing enthusiasts should prepare, as the page features planned protest songs, including classics like “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot More Fascist,” “Surveille ICE,” and “Do You Fear What I Fear?”

One of the protest songs, “Surveille ICE,” sung to the tune of Silent Night, advocates for the reinstatement of ICEBlock and goes as follows:

Surveille ICE, Document ICE
Lawless, masked thugs who cosplay at night
ICEBlock was once approved as an app
You could bell that bad cat with just two taps
Put ICEBlock back in the Store
Put ICEBlock back in the Store

The article also references the insertion of a YouTube video if the category matches ‘Apple History.’

Overall, the protests serve as a platform for individuals to express their discontent with Apple’s decision regarding ICEBlock and related apps, emphasizing the ongoing debate surrounding censorship, government demands, and user rights in the digital sphere.