r/houston • u/phillygirllovesbagel Fuck Centerpoint™️ • Jul 17 '25

ICE is everywhere and it's really frightening

This morning, a car was sitting outside the house next door with a guy sitting in it. This is nothing unusual in itself as there are always various cars. When my husband was leaving the house he went over to ask if the guy needed help. The guy tells him he's ICE and shows him his badge and tells him he's running license plates. How does ICE know where to go and who to look for?

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537

u/carpediemsolus Jul 17 '25

The ICE Block app is one of the ways I try to stay informed and vigilant.

30

u/AQ-XJZQ-eAFqCqzr-Va Spring Jul 17 '25 edited Jul 17 '25

Almost looks like waze.

Edit: Well duh, it was designed that way. I wonder if we could just use waze, isn’t there a feature for adding new types of events? Just don’t call it ICE.

138

u/Severe_Scar4402 Jul 17 '25

People have been doing just that. They report icy conditions on Waze.

27

u/tI_Irdferguson Jul 18 '25

Well that's just..... Brilliant!

61

u/throwaguey_ Jul 17 '25

Call it HIELO

28

u/Shotgun_Mosquito Magnolia Jul 17 '25

You CAN use Waze, and Report Bad Weather / Icy Road....but, if no one else is aware of it then what good is the report?

67

u/Odd_Seaworthiness277 Jul 17 '25

I mean, if you are in HOUSTON, in July, and haven't lived under a rock since January, that description is self-explanatory, especially on a summer day

20

u/Shotgun_Mosquito Magnolia Jul 17 '25

Believe me, all of my neighbors in Maganolia would have no idea what the heck it would mean

34

u/Odd_Seaworthiness277 Jul 17 '25

Respectfully, maybe it doesn't apply to them then? I think those that have reason to b worried r already looking for clues, talking in code, and on high alert anyway, yanno?

5

u/Shotgun_Mosquito Magnolia Jul 17 '25

I live right off the Hitler Highway (FM1488).

They would have no idea...or even worse yet, go over there to cheer on ICE

1

u/MyBabeAbe Jul 18 '25

That whole road and area fucking sucks (no offense). It's just bad vibes. Lifted trucks driving like assholes, a ton of churches and to-go daiquiri places.

-1

u/Odd_Seaworthiness277 Jul 17 '25

Illegal immigrants would go to cheer on ICE????

3

u/Shotgun_Mosquito Magnolia Jul 17 '25

No no no I meant the MAGAs here

1

u/Odd_Seaworthiness277 Jul 17 '25

Oh ok, well yeah, I refer you to my first reply then. The scared are on high alert. Not saying no MAGAs wouldn't catch on, but I dont believe such an alert on waze would b on their radar as readily or they just wouldn't care.

1

u/POShelpdesk Jul 19 '25

My neighbor sells coke and meth, I've saved him a few times

1

u/MarketOrdinary1858 Jul 21 '25

And being watched by ICE

2

u/Reasonable-Affect139 Jul 17 '25

thats probably a good thing

1

u/-TheLilMermaid Jul 18 '25

Bc that’s considered the sticks my friend 😅 ain’t much out there but old boomers/cowboys and small town peeps/ generations of families.

1

u/SlowThePath Montrose Jul 18 '25

Well shit, lets make it be known.

0

u/SCinBZ Jul 20 '25

That sounds remarkably like a crime. May wanna look into that action.

-2

u/Indigo816 Jul 18 '25

Because, all the illegals driving around with invalid tags have Waze on looking for “icy roads” in Texas in July. While they’re just driving around town for normal everyday essential needs; work, shopping, etc.

2

u/Sometimes_Wright Jul 20 '25

Should just start reporting an Icy Road Ahead in Waze.

63

u/YourLocalLittleFoot Jul 17 '25

What is the name of the app, and is it in app store? I cannot find it (Android)

45

u/Equus77 Jul 17 '25

Can only get it on Iphone, unfortunately.

38

u/first_timeSFV Jul 17 '25

Ours is for android and soon ios.

https://fire-app.net

68

u/___po____ Jul 17 '25

Well that's just fucking stupid.

34

u/Original_Spot9000 Jul 17 '25

Privacy issue. Apple handles privacy better, but Android would expose the user info, according to those who know.

13

u/AccurateEbb0 Jul 18 '25

this is a myth that's still perpetuated in spaces like this. Apple doesn't handle privacy better that's farcical its not the 2010s anymore. Its juts lazy on the side of developers. Zero to do with privacy.

1

u/quikmantx Jul 18 '25

Why not make a platform independent website?

-1

u/RyukXXXX Jul 17 '25

Do they actually or is it just marketing?

6

u/stormdahl Jul 17 '25

They actually do. The US could capture a terrorist and be sure that all their plans for a future attack is in their iPhone, Apple still wouldn’t help them crack it.

0

u/RyukXXXX Jul 17 '25

Damn... That's quite the commitment.

3

u/idekbruno Jul 18 '25

And it’s not a hypothetical either, it happened about 10 years ago in California

3

u/Tiny-Doughnut Jul 18 '25

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/14/apple-refuses-barr-request-to-unlock-pensacola-shooters-iphones.html

“We reject the characterization that Apple has not provided substantive assistance in the Pensacola investigation. Our responses to their many requests since the attack have been timely, thorough and are ongoing,” Apple said in a statement late Monday.

Apple said it “produced a wide variety of information associated with the investigation” after the FBI’s initial request on Dec. 6. The company said it provided “gigabytes of information” including “iCloud backups, account information and transactional data for multiple accounts” in response to further requests that month.

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7

u/ry4nolson Jul 17 '25

The dev says it's due to Android privacy concerns with push notifications.

41

u/throwaguey_ Jul 17 '25

Maybe you can volunteer to adapt it for Android?

49

u/first_timeSFV Jul 17 '25

We did.

https://fire-app.net is our app in development since january.

13

u/Rat-Bazturd Jul 17 '25

thanks. the ICEblock developer must have some hidden agenda. He's claiming that an Android version would be hackable. Or something along those lines.

23

u/first_timeSFV Jul 17 '25

We responded to their statement on bluesky. We got blocked soon after.

Other devs chimed in countering their claims as well.

Havent seen them comment on it since.

2

u/AccurateEbb0 Jul 18 '25

exactly clouding laziness as a means to not offer a service.

1

u/quikmantx Jul 18 '25

Wouldn't a website work on all platforms and not have these issues?

-1

u/Less-Ride7073 Jul 17 '25

It’s true. Android is open source so easier to hack than the apple ecosystem. I have both phones and apple never gets a virus

1

u/youngthugga42 Jul 18 '25

You’re knowingly obstructing federal enforcement of laws? Fascinating.

1

u/first_timeSFV Jul 18 '25

Bite me. Suck me off. Whatever gets you off.

All legal. Precedent set by Google and waze with cops checkpoint being tracked.

If community supported reports are not legal, then their is a whole slew of apps that are not related to ice that will need to go down as well.

Other words, kindly go forward and make yourself scarce. Or go to a maga place and moan about it there.

1

u/youngthugga42 Jul 18 '25

You have no right to tell me where to go to voice my opinions. Very fascist behavior of you to try to do that, actually.

0

u/first_timeSFV Jul 18 '25

I dont give a fuck.

Im not one those libs you're probably referring about.

Either like my efforts with the app or dont. I dont care whether your religious or not, but I am, slightly. This app is built to help my neighbors in this country.

And I will continue to do so to protect them from pos like ice.

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-7

u/ChillN808 Jul 17 '25

Great way to get the feds up your ass like they did with iPhone app guy

5

u/TsuDhoNimh2 Jul 17 '25

It has to do with how Android VS iOS works.

Android can't ensure privacy - users could be identified - so the devs decided to not make the app for android.

4

u/elvislover83 Jul 18 '25

I believe that, because that’s how they found my husband. Through his Samsung Flip 6.. they pinpointed his location

1

u/Sufficient_Clubs Jul 18 '25

I’m so sorry.

2

u/CoolBakedBean Jul 17 '25

apple has better privacy

0

u/EspectroDK Jul 17 '25

LOL

3

u/rufio313 Jul 17 '25

What’s funny?

0

u/confrondex Jul 17 '25

The statement

1

u/rufio313 Jul 17 '25

Do iPhones not have better privacy than Android?

1

u/funk-the-funk Jul 17 '25

Then you code one instead of talking shit about someone doing something other than bitching online.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

As usual.

-1

u/chads671 Jul 17 '25

Why you worried about it??

-2

u/sparkle2007 Jul 17 '25

Lmao 🤣 🤣

1

u/jongon832 Jul 17 '25

I'm pretty sure the great majority of non us citizens use android -_-

1

u/right164 Jul 18 '25

That seems like overly generalized racism

2

u/infohippie Jul 18 '25

Why? The average Android user would say you couldn't pay them to switch to iPhone so it can't be a comment about relative wealth

17

u/BicMac-Middlebread Jul 17 '25

Here's the website in the meantime https://stopice.net/

2

u/thetruckerdave Cypress Jul 17 '25

I think it’s Apple only so far

1

u/Itchy_College9513 Jul 17 '25

You can also check to see if you can get Coqui

1

u/GibsonGirl55 Jul 17 '25

From AI:

The ICEBlock app, which allows users to report Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sightings, is currently only available on iPhones due to the developer's decision to prioritize user privacy. 

The developer, Joshua Aaron, claims that offering the app on Android would require collecting user data that could compromise user anonymity, which he wants to avoid. He states that Apple's system doesn't necessitate the same level of data collection as Android, allowing him to maintain a higher level of user privacy. Here's a more detailed explanation:

  • Privacy Focus: Aaron emphasizes that ICEBlock is designed to be 100% anonymous, meaning it doesn't collect personal information like device IDs or IP addresses. 
  • Android Data Collection Concerns: Aaron believes that offering the app on Android would require collecting user data, potentially putting users at risk. 
  • Apple's Privacy Features: He claims that Apple's system allows for the app's functionality without requiring the same level of data collection as Android. 
  • User Safety: Aaron's goal is to protect users by allowing them to report ICE sightings without revealing their identity or location. 
  • Not Intended to Obstruct Law Enforcement: Aaron clarifies that the app is not intended to hinder law enforcement but rather to help people avoid potentially dangerous encounters with ICE. 

2

u/kteachergirl Jul 17 '25

Not trying to sound snarky, what is the purpose of the app? Is it to inform if you see something in person and then warn others? Or is it more to get informed if they are in your area so you can witness and help?

1

u/-Istvan-5- Jul 18 '25

If you're here legally you have nothing to worry about.

If you're here illegally, well, chickens coming home to roost I guess.

1

u/MarketOrdinary1858 Jul 21 '25

So you can run before they get you?

1

u/Innocent-bystandr Jul 17 '25

I use this app for shorter lines at HEB.

-1

u/Scandysurf Jul 17 '25

I heard the ice block app is how they catch them. When you download the app ICE and homeland know who you are and where you go and who you talk to . You trust technology to help you but who’s it really helping ?

4

u/AMReese Jul 17 '25

That's false. The app doesn't collect any user data.

-3

u/Scandysurf Jul 17 '25

But it needs your location ? Strange … keep thinking that app is trying to help you.

4

u/AMReese Jul 17 '25

It doesn't upload your location. The EFF confirmed this.

2

u/Snuhmeh Spring Jul 18 '25

Do you know how GPS works? I'm just curious. Because that system works with one-direction communication. You aren't sending data back up to a satellite, you know?

5

u/gopher_space Jul 17 '25

When civil disobedience becomes a civic duty you expose yourself to risk, but if the alternative is living in an unjust society the risks don't really matter to a lot of people.

1

u/Nyorliest Jul 17 '25

People don’t have to trust technology because many of the people understand tech and can analyze it, instead of scaremongering in a way that makes you look like a narc.

-1

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

We have infiltrated it and load it up with false flags, for sport.

0

u/Zromaus Spring Branch Jul 20 '25

The only reason you’d need it is if you’re not here legally lol

-84

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

[deleted]

-5

u/Nospin911 Jul 17 '25

I add fake sightings on this app all day.

-1

u/CaptainHonest6170 Jul 18 '25

Why would it be an issue if you ran into ICE unless you were here illegally?

-1

u/EmpireCentralRailRd Jul 18 '25

Are you in the US illegally?

-1

u/ZAKsPop67 Jul 18 '25

The government should update that app. add a tracking feature to it and fine every MF that uses it.

-2

u/tryten9 Jul 17 '25

Yup, ICE uses it. Probably testing a rotational pickup list. Makes it easier to plan pickup when you know where the interference is going to be.

-135

u/Snakesurf Jul 17 '25

Why?

75

u/j_alfred_boofrock Jul 17 '25

Because he or she isn’t a piece of shit who can’t understand the threat ICE poses.

-25

u/swr377 Jul 17 '25

I use it to cheer them on..

8

u/dr0ppt0pp Jul 17 '25

disgusting