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Apple said on Thursday that it had removed ICEBlock and other similar ICE-tracking apps from its App Store after it was contacted by President Donald Trump's administration, in a rare instance of apps being taken down due to a U.S. federal government demand.
Alphabet's Google also removed similar apps on Thursday for policy violations, but the company said it was not approached by the Justice Department before taking the action.
The app alerts users to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in their area, which the Justice Department says could increase the risk of assault on U.S. agents.
[...] Apple removed more than 1,700 apps from its App Store in 2024 in response to government demands, but the vast majority — more than 1,300 — came from China, followed by Russia with 171 and South Korea with 79.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Thexalon on Wednesday October 08, @04:11PM (5 children)
These aren't "anyone", though, these are people in the employ of the US government engaged in their official duties. Courts have ruled repeatedly that We The People are allowed to do things like identify officers by their name and badge number and film them when they're working, even though cops hate those rules.
Also: "A van full of ICE officers was spotted at this location" is different from "This ICE officer lives at 123 Walpole Street, Springfield, ST 12345, and is home from 10 PM to 6 AM."
Also also: A judge that recently ruled against Trump had her house bombed within hours of Trump administration officials saying publicly that something bad should happen to her in retaliation for the ruling.
"Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Username on Wednesday October 08, @05:15PM (4 children)
Why on earth would you want criminals to know the location of law enforcement?
(Score: 5, Touché) by HiThere on Wednesday October 08, @05:24PM
Because some "law enforcement" are actually dangerous law breakers operating under color of law.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Whoever on Wednesday October 08, @05:25PM (1 child)
Better ban the NextDoor website and app. People frequently discuss the presence of law enforcement in real time on that site/app.
Most of the immigrants targeted by ICE are not criminals. Please take your strawman and shove it!
(Score: 2, Disagree) by Barenflimski on Wednesday October 08, @06:06PM
I'd happily ban Nextdoor. It helps to make good neighbors toxic.
(Score: 2) by Tork on Wednesday October 08, @05:34PM
I can't speak for Android but Apple's App Store does not do a background check to confirm you are a criminal before downloading an app.
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