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Apple Removes ICE Tracking Apps After Pressure by Trump Administration

posted by hubie on Wednesday October 08, @12:31PM   Printer-friendly

mrpg writes:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/apple-removes-ice-tracking-apps-after-pressure-by-trump-administration-2025-10-03/:

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.

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Username on Wednesday October 08, @05:15PM (4 children)

    by Username (4557) on Wednesday October 08, @05:15PM (#1419921)

    Why on earth would you want criminals to know the location of law enforcement?

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  • (Score: 5, Touché) by HiThere on Wednesday October 08, @05:24PM

    by HiThere (866) on Wednesday October 08, @05:24PM (#1419924) Journal

    Because some "law enforcement" are actually dangerous law breakers operating under color of law.

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  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Whoever on Wednesday October 08, @05:25PM (1 child)

    by Whoever (4524) on Wednesday October 08, @05:25PM (#1419926) Journal

    Why on earth would you want criminals to know the location of law enforcement?

    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

      by Barenflimski (6836) on Wednesday October 08, @06:06PM (#1419940)

      I'd happily ban Nextdoor. It helps to make good neighbors toxic.

  • (Score: 2) by Tork on Wednesday October 08, @05:34PM

    by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday October 08, @05:34PM (#1419929) Journal

    Why on earth would you want criminals to know the location of law enforcement?

    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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