The “No Thanks” app is a mobile application designed to help users identify products that support Israel, allowing them to make informed decisions about their purchases. The app was developed by Ahmed Bashbash, a Palestinian originally from Gaza living in Hungary, in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The app allows users to scan product barcodes or search by serial numbers. It then indicates if the product or brand has ties to Israel, so users can choose whether or not to purchase those items. The goal is to boycott brands that support Israel amid calls from pro-Palestinian groups for economic measures against Israel.
Controversy, History, and Background
The “No Thanks” app was launched in November 2023 by Ed Bash (BashSoftware) in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. It gained significant popularity, especially among pro-Palestinian supporters seeking to boycott products affiliated with Israel.
Videos demonstrating the app’s functionality went viral on social media, showing users scanning everyday products and getting notified if the manufacturer allegedly supports Israel based on the app’s database.
The viral spread led to over 100,000 downloads initially. However, the app was temporarily suspended from the Google Play Store on November 30th due to controversial language in its description.
Originally, the app’s description on the Google Play store welcomed users to see “if the product in your hand supports killing children in Palestine.” This line was seen as inflammatory by some and Google temporarily suspended the app.
The developer has since updated the description and the app was reinstated on the Play Store on December 4th. The revised description focuses more on simplifying barcode scanning rather than inflammatory language.
There have also been discussions around the ethics of an app aimed at economically targeting Israel, with some calling it a legitimate form of protest and others raising concerns about singling out Israel or stoking tensions.
Availability on iOS/iPhone
As of December 2023, there is currently no iOS version of the “No Thanks” app available for download. The app can only be installed on Android devices through the Google Play store.
There are some reports that the developer may be working on an iOS version. However, no timeline has been given for when or if an iPhone version will launch.
Some workarounds have been posted online to try to get the Android app on iOS. However, these require tricky developer methods and cannot replicate all functionality. They also violate App Store terms and conditions.
Thus, the “No Thanks” app remains an Android-exclusive tool for now. Interested iOS users will have to wait and see if an official iPhone app materializes down the line.
Conclusion
The “No Thanks” app offers a unique approach for consumers to take economic action related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. With over 100,000 downloads on Android already, an iOS version could certainly expand its reach and impact.
However, the app does have its critics. And porting any app to iOS brings extensive development and regulations challenges. For now, iOS users have no official means to access the tool’s barcode scanning and brand identification features. But its viral momentum could pressure the developer to find an iOS solution soon.