
Performing on a need from the Trump administration, Apple has actually eliminated apps that let iPhone users report the places of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
“We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store—and Apple did so,” Attorney General Of The United States Pam Bondi stated in a declaration to Fox News the other day. “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.”
Apple verified it eliminated several apps after speaking with police. “We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps,” an Apple declaration to wire service stated. “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 app eliminations follow a September 24 shooting at a Dallas ICE center that led to the deaths of 2 immigrants in federal custody and the shooter. The shooter, recognized as Joshua Jahn, “searched apps that tracked the presence of ICE agents,” according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
ICEBlock developer Joshua Aaron contested claims that his app might have added to the shooting. He explained that an app isn’t required to discover the areas of ICE centers.
“You don’t need to use an app to tell you where an ICE agent is when you’re aiming at an ICE detention facility,” Aaron informed the BBC. “Everybody knows that’s where ICE agents are.”
Apple pointed out “objectionable material”
Aaron stated he was dissatisfied by Apple’s choice to get rid of the app. “ICEBlock is no different from crowd-sourcing speed traps, which every notable mapping application including Apple’s own Maps app [does],” he was priced quote as stating. “This is protected speech under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.”
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