Apple has removed an app that was used to archive videos of ICE arrests
Apple made the decision to remove an application from its App Store that was designed to archive videos recording the arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This removal sparked discussions about the role of technology platforms in hosting politically sensitive content and tools related to civil liberties.
The application in question was named "Eyes Up." Its core function allowed users to quickly and discreetly record video of ICE activity and automatically upload or archive that footage to a secure, remote server. This design ensured that even if a user's phone was confiscated or destroyed, the video evidence would be preserved and available for legal or advocacy purposes.
A key distinction of Eyes Up, compared to some other related applications, was its focus purely on documentation and archiving. Unlike other tools, such as the previously available "ICEBlock," Eyes Up did not attempt to track or provide real-time location data on where ICE agents were operating or conducting raids. It was built as a reactive tool for preserving records, not a proactive tool for evasion.
Apple's action of removing the app was based on a policy determination that the application violated one or more of its App Store guidelines. While the specific violation was not always explicitly detailed in public statements, such removals are often rooted in policies concerning harassment, illegal activity, or promoting content that encourages illegal behavior, even if the developer's stated intent was to support legal observation and rights.
The removal highlighted the difficult position major technology companies occupy when their platform policies intersect with activism, law enforcement, and civil rights issues. Advocates for the app argued that it was a vital tool for ensuring accountability and transparency during immigration enforcement actions, allowing people to safely document potential violations of rights. Conversely, critics and potentially Apple's policy enforcers may have viewed the app as a tool designed to interfere with government operations or encourage a confrontational environment. Ultimately, the decision underscored the power Apple holds as the sole gatekeeper for its mobile software ecosystem and how those editorial choices affect the availability of tools intended to protect civil liberties.
Apple has removed an app that was used to archive videos of ICE arrests
Yenumula . Contributing Reporter
Published on October 14 2025
Instagram is currently testing a significant redesign of its mobile application's main navigation bar. The new layout is intended to prioritize two key features: Reels, the platform's short-form video content, and Direct Messages (DMs). This change directly addresses the ongoing competition with other video-centric platforms by making Reels more accessible and central to the user experience.
In the test version, the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen has been modified to remove or downplay certain tabs in favor of more prominent access points for both Reels and DMs. Specifically, the DMs button, which traditionally resided in the top-right corner of the interface, is moved to a more noticeable, dedicated location on the bottom bar. This relocation emphasizes private messaging as a core function, reflecting the broader social media trend of users communicating more through private chat than public feeds.
By giving both Reels and DMs greater visibility, Instagram is effectively signaling its strategic direction. The company is doubling down on short-form video as the primary content driver and simultaneously fostering deeper engagement through private, one-on-one communication. This shift suggests a move away from the traditional full-screen public feed model that originally defined the app, adapting instead to how modern users prefer to consume media and interact socially. If rolled out widely, this change will fundamentally alter how users navigate and engage with the Instagram application.
Instagram is testing a new layout that gives Reels and Direct Messages (DMs) greater visibility on the main screen.
Yenumula . Contributing Reporter
Published on October 14 2025
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