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1h ago

Apple Pulls ICEBlock and Similar Apps After DOJ Pressure Over Officer Safety

Apple says it acted on law-enforcement safety information.

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Federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection walk along West Wacker Drive in the Loop, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Chicago. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP){p}{/p}
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FILE - U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detain a man outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs building during a protest in Portland, Ore., June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Overview

  • Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department asked Apple on Thursday to remove ICEBlock, and the company complied.
  • Apple confirmed it also removed other ICE-tracking tools, citing safety risks relayed by law enforcement.
  • Authorities say the Dallas ICE facility shooting suspect searched for tracking apps, including ICEBlock, before opening fire, and ICE officials warn assaults on agents have surged.
  • ICEBlock developer Joshua Aaron rejected claims the app endangered officers and said he will fight the takedown.
  • Appfigures data show ICEBlock surpassed 1 million downloads earlier this year, and the move revives free-speech debates and recalls Apple’s 2019 removal of the HKMap app.