Apple Removes “ICE Block” Apps Used to Track Immigration Agents

Apple announced on Thursday that it has removed the “ICE Block” app and several similar applications used to track U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from its App Store, following direct communication with the administration of President Donald Trump.

This marks a rare case in which the tech giant has deleted apps at the request of the U.S. federal government.

The ICE Block app alerts users to the presence of immigration and customs agents in their area, something the U.S. Department of Justice says could endanger federal officers. ICE has long been a key part of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, known for regular raids and arrests of undocumented immigrants.

Human rights advocates argue that such enforcement often violates free speech and due process rights.

Apple’s move is expected to intensify scrutiny of Silicon Valley’s growing relationships with the Trump administration. Several major tech companies, including the iPhone maker, have sought to avoid clashes with the White House, which has repeatedly issued threats, particularly regarding tariffs, against targeted firms.

In a statement emailed to the press, Apple said: “Based on information received from law enforcement about safety risks linked to the ICE Block app, we have removed it and similar applications from the App Store.”

Fox Business first reported the removal on Thursday. The Department of Justice later confirmed it had contacted Apple regarding the app, and the company complied.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement: “The ICE Block app was designed to endanger immigration and customs officers simply for doing their jobs. Violence against law enforcement is a red line that cannot be crossed.”

Joshua Aron, the Texas-based developer of ICE Block, denied the accusation and criticized Apple’s decision. “I am deeply disappointed in Apple’s actions today,” Aron told Reuters via email. “Surrendering to authoritarian pressure is never the right move.”

Bondi previously argued that Aron was “not protected” under the Constitution and said prosecutors were considering legal action, warning him to “be careful.”

Public monitoring of federal immigration officers has grown more assertive since Trump’s return to office. Activists say they aim to protect their communities from ICE’s aggressive enforcement. In cities like Washington, residents use encrypted messaging to share real-time updates, though it remains unclear how frequently the app has been used to issue alerts.

Legal experts told Reuters that public observation of ICE activity is largely protected by the U.S. Constitution, as long as activists do not interfere with enforcement operations. Courts have repeatedly upheld the legality of recording law enforcement in public spaces.

Since Trump took office, ICE has conducted widespread raids targeting undocumented immigrants and even permanent residents who advocate for Palestinian rights. The agency has received $75 billion in new funding through 2029.

Apple removed more than 1,700 apps from its App Store in 2024 in response to government requests, the vast majority, over 1,300, coming from China, followed by 171 from Russia and 79 from South Korea.

In the past three years, the United States had not appeared among the countries where apps were removed due to government demands, according to Apple’s transparency reports.

Most Apple devices, including iPhones, are manufactured in China, leaving the company sensitive to trade and tariff policies. The White House has recently floated potential taxes on imported chips used in Apple’s devices, a move that could affect its large supply chain across Asia.

Apple routinely removes tens of thousands of apps each year for other reasons, including design flaws, fraud, or intellectual property violations. The company deleted over 82,500 apps in 2024 alone.

Apple’s stock dipped slightly to $258,02  on Friday following the news.