ICEBlock, a popular app that was launched on iOS earlier this year, has just been removed by Apple from the App Store, making it no longer accessible from Apple devices. Apple’s removal of the app from the App Store comes as part of a request from the Trump Administration’s US Attorney General, Pamela Bondi, following pressure from the US Department of Justice to take the app down amid an increase in tensions against ICE agents.

ICEBlock gained immediate attention when it was launched earlier this year because of the way it operated. It allowed users on iOS devices to report information on and sightings of ICE agents around their local area. This included not only where the agents were last seen, but also details about the clothes they were wearing. The app’s intention was to allow citizens to avoid these areas. Given the Trump Administration’s stance on immigration, not to mention its often heavily criticized aggressive tactics for detaining individuals, it’s not surprising the app exploded in popularity.

Even though Apple has removed the ICEBlock app, the developers say they’re going to fight it

Apple’s reasons for removing the app from the App Store appear to amount to the fact that it was contacted by law enforcement, who expressed concerns about safety risks with the app. So, Apple acquiesced and took the app down. According to TechCrunch, the company also removed similar apps from the App Store.

ICEBlock’s developers say they’re going to fight this decision. As reported by 404 Media, the creator of ICEBlock, Joshua Aaron, says that “capitulating to an authoritarian regime is never the right move,” after stating that he was incredibly disappointed with Apple’s decision. He goes on to say that ICEBlock is no different from map applications that let users enter information about speed traps they’ve noticed, which he points out is a feature of Apple’s own Maps app.

Pamela Bondi sees things differently. In a statement, Bondi claims that ICEBlock and other apps like it are designed to put agents at risk just for doing their jobs. Bondi also made a statement saying that the Justice Department was “looking at” the app’s developer. Bondi’s claims of risk likely stem partially from the recent shooting that took place at an ICE detention center in Dallas, Texas, toward the end of last month.
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Source: ndroidheadlines.com