ICEBlock climbs to the top of the App Store charts after officials slam it
10 months ago
- #Immigration
- #App Store
- #ICEBlock
- ICEBlock, an app that allows users to mark ICE agent locations on a map, has become the most downloaded free social networking app in the US for iOS.
- The app's popularity surged after US government officials and CNN criticized it, drawing more attention and downloads.
- Developed by Joshua Aaron in response to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, ICEBlock alerts users within a five-mile radius of ICE sightings and includes notes on agents' appearances or vehicles.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons condemned the app, accusing it of endangering ICE officers and enabling criminals to evade law enforcement.
- US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and US Attorney General Pam Bondi warned that the government is targeting the app's developer, Joshua Aaron, for potentially threatening law enforcement officers.
- Aaron clarified that ICEBlock does not collect personal data like device IDs or IP addresses, and it is only available on iOS to avoid risks associated with Android data collection.