Click Here Watching the watchers
Jan 20, 2026
Join investigative reporter Karen Duffin and software developer Joshua Aaron as they dive into the world of crowdsourced apps tracking immigration enforcement. They discuss the rise of IceBlock, a tool designed to alert communities about ICE activity, and the challenges Joshua faced, including government scrutiny and collateral damage to his family's life. Hear about the app’s legal battles and its controversial removal from app stores, alongside the community's ongoing efforts to innovate grassroots resistance.
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Neighbor Uses App To Warn Of Raids
- Ruth, an unhoused L.A. resident, used IceBlock to warn neighbors about unmarked vehicles and masked agents near her sleeping spot.
- She opened the app at night and dropped a pin to alert people within five miles.
Developer Builds Grassroots Early Warning
- Joshua Aaron built IceBlock in his Austin living room to crowdsource ICE sightings for early warnings.
- He designed it to notify users within a five-mile radius of a dropped pin.
Design For Minimal Data Collection
- Avoid collecting identifiable user data to reduce legal exposure and subpoenas.
- Joshua required no signups and stored minimal or no user data on his end.