Apple has removed the controversial ICEBlock app from its App Store on Thursday following a request from the Department of Justice, which argued the app endangers federal immigration officers.
ICEBlock allows users to log sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, sending alerts to others within a five-mile radius of law enforcement activity. The app drew heightened scrutiny last month after a gunman opened fire at an ICE office in Dallas, Texas. Investigators said the suspect had searched for ICEBlock on his phone before the attack.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the DOJ’s intervention to have the app removed in a statement to Fox News.
“We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so,” Bondi said.
“ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed,” she added. “This Department of Justice will continue making every effort to protect our brave federal law enforcement officers, who risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.”
Apple defended its decision to remove the app, saying the move was based on concerns flagged by law enforcement. “We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps. Based on information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store,” Apple said.
ICEBlock had amassed more than 1.1 million users before its removal. Its creator, Joshua Aaron, denounced Apple’s decision, arguing that “Capitulating to an authoritarian regime is never the right move.”
“Apple has claimed they received information from law enforcement that ICEBlock served to harm law enforcement officers. This is patently false,” Aaron said.
