Apple removes ICEBlock app from the App Store, allowing users to anonymously report sightings of ICE officers. The Attorney General acknowledges that he requested its removal.



The app ' ICEBlock ,' which allows users to anonymously share sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, who crack down on illegal immigrants in the United States, gained popularity because it allowed users to know early on that ICE was operating nearby and avoid aggressive crackdowns. The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security criticized ICEBlock, and after a fatal incident thought to be related to ICEBlock occurred, ICEBlock was removed from the App Store.

Apple removes ICE tracking app after pressure from Bondi DOJ | Fox Business
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/apple-takes-down-ice-tracking-app-after-pressure-from-ag-bondi



While ICE is supposed to be cracking down on illegal immigrants, there have been reports of legal residents and U.S. citizens being detained by ICE agents. ICEBlock, a popular app for reporting sightings of ICE agents, gained popularity after a CNN report on the issue on June 30, 2025. ICEBlock's user base skyrocketed, even reaching the top of the free app rankings on the U.S. App Store.

ICEBlock, an app that lets users report sightings of law enforcement officials as part of President Trump's nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration, has topped the US App Store's free app rankings.



In response to the growing popularity of ICEBlock, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem criticized ICEBlock, saying, 'ICEBlock's actions actively encourage people to evade law enforcement and investigations, and we are working with the Department of Justice to determine whether we can prosecute them.' Attorney General Pam Bondi also pointed out the risk of ICEBlock being used for criminal purposes, saying, 'ICEBlock sends a message to criminals about the location of federal agents. This could result in injury not only to ICE agents but also to federal and Department of Justice agents working with them.'

On October 2, 2025, ICEBlock was removed from the App Store. ICEBlock posted on its official Bluesky account, 'We received a message that ICEBlock was removed from the App Store for 'inappropriate content.' This is likely due to pressure from the Trump Administration. We have already taken action and will fight back!', expressing its intention to fight the restrictions.



In a statement to the media, Attorney General Bondi said, 'Today, I contacted Apple to request that they remove the ICEBlock app from the App Store. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect the federal law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to keep the American people safe.'

In a statement provided to the media, Apple explained, 'The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place to find apps. We received information from law enforcement about safety risks associated with ICEBlock and have removed ICEBlock and similar apps from the App Store.'

A key factor in the removal of ICEBlock was the September 2025 shooting at an ICE field office in Dallas, Texas. There have been multiple attacks on enforcement officers who crack down on illegal immigration, but an FBI investigation revealed that the suspect in the Dallas incident, which left three people dead and injured, had searched for ICEBlock.



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in Software, Posted by log1e_dh