Apple removed apps that exposed the locations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after officials said the tools helped attackers target them.
The action follows reports that the anti-ICE app was used by the gunman who opened fire on an ICE facility in Dallas last month, killing two detainees and wounding a third.
Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News Digital she pressed Apple to act.
“We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so,” Bondi said. “ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed. This Department of Justice will continue making every effort to protect our brave federal law enforcement officers, who risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.”
Acting ICE Enforcement chief Marcos Charles criticized the apps for inviting attacks. “It’s no different than giving the hit man the location of their intended target, and this is exactly what we saw happen in Dallas yesterday,” he said, adding that media coverage amplified the apps despite warnings. “We truly wish we didn’t have to say we told you so, but here we are.”
Apple confirmed it removed ICEBlock and “similar apps” after consulting law enforcement. “We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps. Based on 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,” the company said.
ICEBlock creator Joshua Aaron pushed back. “Capitulating to an authoritarian regime is never the right move,” he said. “Apple has claimed they received information from law enforcement that ICEBlock served to harm law enforcement officers. This is patently false.”