Apple Pulls ICE-Tracking Apps After DOJ, White House Pressure

Overview

• Apple confirmed it removed ICEBlock and other crowd-sourced alert apps from the App Store, citing safety information received from law enforcement.
• Justice Department officials contacted Apple to press for the takedowns, with Attorney General Pam Bondi saying Apple complied after the request first reported by Fox Business.
• Authorities pointed to a September shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas that left two detainees dead and one injured, saying the suspect had used such apps in the days before the attack.
• The Justice Department is reinforcing security at immigration sites, and President Trump directed counterterrorism task forces to investigate domestic threats against federal agents.
• Civil-liberties groups warn the removals threaten free expression and due process, while the ICEBlock developer and legal experts dispute claims that the app itself is unlawful.