Apple removes ICEBlock and similar tracking apps from the App Store

Apple has removed ICEBlock and different apps from its App Store that let users to anonymously study sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, pursuing unit from the Trump administration.

The app, which went viral earlier this year, allowed users to lawfully stock accusation astir wherever they’ve seen ICE agents wrong a 5-mile radius of their location, and besides stock details of the covering agents are wearing.

According to assorted media reports, Apple said it removed the apps aft it was contacted by “law enforcement” astir “safety risks” associated with ICEBlock and akin apps.

Fox Business archetypal reported the removal connected Thursday, quoting U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi arsenic saying Justice Department officials contacted Apple to region apps similar ICEBlock astatine her direction.

It’s worthy noting that ICEBlock does not cod oregon store immoderate idiosyncratic data, which TechCrunch has confirmed by analyzing the app’s web postulation arsenic portion of a test.

The takedown comes successful the aftermath of mounting tensions betwixt the Trump medication and those who reason the government’s hardline migration agenda, particularly aft a shooting astatine an ICE detention halfway successful Dallas past week resulted successful 2 detainees being killed and 1 successful hospital. CNBC cited an FBI authoritative claiming that the gunman had searched apps tracking the beingness of ICE agents.

The U.S. authorities argues that apps similar ICEBlock endanger national workers by revealing their locations and likenesses. Officials person repeatedly threatened ineligible enactment against those utilizing ICEBlock, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem successful July said officials were trying to spot if CNN could beryllium prosecuted for reporting astir the app.

U.S. Attorney General Bondi successful July besides warned ICEBlock’s developer, Joshua Aaron, that the Justice Department was “looking astatine him.”

Apple and the Justice Department did not instantly instrumentality a petition for comment. ICEBlock’s developers could not beryllium reached for comment.