Apple Removed ICE Tracking Tool from App Store

After the US Government intervention, Apple removed a location tracking app that informs users of the whereabouts of US immigration and customs agents from its App Store. The US Justice Department had contacted Apple to remove the ICEBlock app, claiming it increased the risk of attacks on its agents, and the company has complied with the request.

ICE is a federal enforcement agency, and its agents are tasked with enforcing Trump’s hard-line immigration laws. The app is designed to alert users if ICE agents are in their area. In a statement seen by the news outlet, Apple stated: “Based on the 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.”

ICEBlock launched in April and shot up to the top of Apple’s App Store rankings in July. It then faced heat from the White House, with the administration claiming agents were facing a 500% increase in assaults. Following Apple’s removal, US Attorney General Pam Bondi welcomed the decision, stating that ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs.