ICEBlock Was Purged from the App Store. Now Its Creator Is Suing Trump
2 days ago
- #App Store
- #First Amendment
- #ICEBlock
- ICEBlock is an iOS-exclusive app that anonymously notifies users of ICE officers within a 5-mile radius.
- The app gained attention after a CNN segment, leading to Republican backlash and demands for investigation.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed Apple to remove ICEBlock, leading to its delisting along with similar apps.
- ICEBlock had over 1.14 million users before removal, adding 15,000 to 20,000 daily.
- Joshua Aaron, the app's coder, filed a federal lawsuit against Bondi and other officials, citing First Amendment violations.
- The lawsuit seeks to prevent the government from coercing Apple to delist ICEBlock or similar apps.
- House Committee on Homeland Security accused Apple and Google of hosting apps that reveal DHS law enforcement locations.
- No evidence links ICEBlock to a Dallas shooting incident, despite claims by lawmakers.
- Apple cited safety risks from law enforcement as the reason for delisting ICEBlock.
- ICEBlock remains usable for existing users, though updates and new downloads are blocked.