"Apple has removed the ICEBlock app from the App Store after a request by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The immigration enforcement tracking app enables users to report ICE agent sightings in real time. Illustration by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Caving to what the developer described as "pressure from the Trump administration," Apple has removed an application that allowed users to report and track US Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in their area."
""ICEBlock," which has over 1 million downloads, allowed users to report sightings of ICE agents within a "5-mile radius of your current location" to alert immigrants and others in the community fearful of being swept up in President Donald Trump's "mass deportation" crusade. Its developer, Joshua Aaron, told that he created it in April because he felt like he was "watching history repeat itself" when he saw things like "5-year-olds in courtrooms with no representation" and "college students being disappeared for their political opinions." "When I saw what was happening in this country, I really just wanted to do something to help fight back," he said."
"Downloads of the app surged in June as the administration accelerated its deportation efforts, aiming for a daily quota of 3,000 arrests. That's also when published a piece about the app that caught the attention of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said she was "working with the Department of Justice to see if we can prosecute them [ CNN]" for reporting on the app, which she said was "actively encouraging people to avoid law enforcement activities, operations. Courts have long held that recording the actions of law enforcement is protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution."
Apple removed the ICEBlock app from the App Store following a request by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. ICEBlock allowed users to report and track ICE agent sightings within a five-mile radius in real time and amassed over one million downloads. The developer, Joshua Aaron, created the app in April citing concerns about children and political disappearances and said he wanted to help fight back. Downloads surged in June amid increased deportation efforts aiming for a daily quota of 3,000 arrests. DHS attention and statements about prosecuting reporters followed, while courts have long held that recording law enforcement is First Amendment protected.
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