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ICERAID: The Controversial App Turning Citizens into Informants
Right-wing influencers have been advocating for a unique mobile application that claims to enable users to earn cryptocurrency by reporting sightings of undocumented immigrants. Named ICERAID, this so-called “GovFi protocol” encourages citizen involvement in intelligence gathering. The application has gained attention from notable figures such as conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, media figure Jacob Engels, and former Congressman Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz recently described the app in a rather casual fashion, stating, “It’s like a citizen’s arrest, but with Wi-Fi.” He suggested that people could bypass typical gig economy jobs like Uber or DoorDash and instead earn money by documenting illegal activity through photographs.
According to its website, ICERAID operates on the Solana blockchain and purports to reward individuals for providing images that capture what they define as “criminal illegal alien activity.” It’s important to note that there is no affiliation between ICERAID and governmental organizations. The app does not limit its focus to immigration-related issues but extends to a range of activities, suggesting users report anything from animal cruelty to terrorism, as explained by ICERAID’s founder, Jason Meyers, during a livestreamed event.
Despite its ambitious claims, the ICERAID app—essentially a web form linked to a cryptocurrency wallet—seems primarily focused on promoting a new meme coin sharing its name. Some early investors attempting to reclaim their funds before the coin’s launch noted a lack of clarity and feasibility around the project.
Meyers, who has faced allegations of financial misconduct in prior employment, informed The Verge that ICERAID was initiated in January, with a pledge to offer bounties for reports of illegal immigrant activities in New York City shortly thereafter. However, the cryptocurrency intended to reward submissions was not available until April. The app requires users to have the Phantom crypto wallet to access its functions and submit images of suspected criminal actions, accompanied by certain questions about the witnessing experience, location, and potential suspects.
In a discussion with Gaetz, Meyers indicated he was in dialogue with entities at the Department of Homeland Security as well as local law enforcement regarding the operational capabilities of ICERAID, which he claims to use blockchain technology to crowdsource information on various illegal activities. Users are incentivized to upload photographic evidence from their immediate surroundings in exchange for payment.
ICERAID’s approach includes granting law enforcement “API access,” allowing agencies to review the data submitted, although Meyers asserts there is no formal partnership. He emphasized that it is a collaborative effort rather than an official relationship. Meanwhile, existing agencies, such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, already maintain established tip lines and partnerships with law enforcement to address illegal immigration.
The reliability of the data ICERAID collects has been questioned. The incident tracker showcased a mere six entries as of mid-April, with the majority reportedly dismissed by moderators. This raises concerns about the efficacy of submissions, as found entries included memes and photos unrelated to any criminal activity. Meyers claims that they filter through tips using AI to enhance the credibility of the evidence by verifying location and assessing certain demographic characteristics.
In a surprising twist, the app also proposes a “sponsorship program” aimed at supporting hardworking undocumented immigrants devoid of criminal histories. It gestures toward providing rewards for these individuals to pursue legal status through self-reporting on ICERAID, though the pathways to obtaining citizenship are notoriously complex and often unreachable for many undocumented immigrants. When asked about this initiative, Meyers offered vague assurances of a support network without elaborating on how it works.
The fundamental question remains whether users are effectively compensated for their submissions. While ICERAID advertises financial incentives, further inquiry revealed a lack of transparency in actual payouts. The sale of ICERAID tokens reportedly noted a presale in February but has seen minimal engagement since, with token holders numbering only in the dozens as of mid-April.
Meyers’s previous crypto ventures have encountered scrutiny as well. He is also associated with AuditChain Labs and has a contentious legal history, including a ban from broker activities by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority due to alleged financial improprieties involving investor funds. As concerns grow regarding the viability of ICERAID, some investors express frustration over the delayed launch, showcasing a concerning atmosphere of uncertainty within the project’s community.
Even if ICERAID devolves into a simple financial scheme, its connections to politically influential figures underscore a broader trend among some right-wing factions aiming to mobilize citizens for immigrant surveillance. Instances of proposed legislation in various states that would incentivize bounty hunters highlight this growing commitment to privatized immigrant enforcement.
Through its explicit language and ambitious promises, ICERAID presents itself as a tool for civic engagement in immigration enforcement. However, the actual execution and outcomes of such an initiative remain shrouded in ambiguity, raising pressing questions about both ethics and efficacy in a strained social and political landscape.
Source
www.theverge.com