> If you’re building a phone app, make sure the progressive web app version has feature parity.
The problem in this specific case is privacy protections:
> Aaron told The Verge ICEBlock is built around a single database in iCloud. When a user taps on the map to report ICE sightings, the location data is added to that database, and users within five miles are automatically sent a push notification alerting them. Push notifications require developers to have some way of designating which devices receive them, and while Aaron declined to say precisely how the notifications function, he said alerts are sent through Apple’s system, not ICEBlock’s, letting him avoid keeping his own database of users or their devices. “We utilized iCloud in kind of a creative way,” Aaron said. [...]
There's supposed to be an open standard for Web Push notifications. ICEBlock would need to build out more tools for themselves, but the same user flow they have now should work with a PWA, using these open universal standards.
Once again Apple mysteriously somehow making sure oh gee huh the web just can't compete with the native ecosystem they have total top down control over. This also means for instance also that the web can't compete for XMPP or messaging apps with native apps. Which came up in the call to run XMPP submission. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45490439
You need a database of everyone who signs up for the service so you can know who to send notifications to. That database needs some kind of unique ID plus a regular location updates.
That's a tempting target to go after, as it's a list of potential ICE targets plus 'political sympathizers'. The app developer does not (AIUI) want the responsibility of keeping that database secure against attack, exposure, or warrant requests.
The problem in this specific case is privacy protections:
> Aaron told The Verge ICEBlock is built around a single database in iCloud. When a user taps on the map to report ICE sightings, the location data is added to that database, and users within five miles are automatically sent a push notification alerting them. Push notifications require developers to have some way of designating which devices receive them, and while Aaron declined to say precisely how the notifications function, he said alerts are sent through Apple’s system, not ICEBlock’s, letting him avoid keeping his own database of users or their devices. “We utilized iCloud in kind of a creative way,” Aaron said. [...]
* https://www.theverge.com/cyber-security/707116/iceblock-data...
The app developer does not want to keep a database of people on who to notify (and track their location for "near-by" locations).