Apple removes immigration tracking app from App Store at Trump's request

Apple has removed ICEBlock, an app that allowed users to mark locations where they saw U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, from the App Store. The company has also removed similar apps after a request from the Trump administration and Attorney General Pam Bondi, Engadget reports.

Bondi said the apps "put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs." She said "violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed" and stressed that the Justice Department would continue to protect ICE employees.

Apple explained that the decision was made after receiving information from law enforcement about potential security threats.

""We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps. 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 company said in a statement.

The investigation began after an incident in Dallas, when an attacker opened fire on an ICE building, reportedly using ICEBlock to track agents. Two immigrants were killed and another person was injured in the attack. According to the FBI, the shooter specifically targeted ICE employees.

ICEBlock developer Joshua Aaron criticized Apple's decision, saying the company was "capitulating to an authoritarian regime." He said the app's purpose was to "protect our neighbors from the terror this administration," and that claims of a danger to law enforcement were "untrue."

ICEBlock became known in July when government officials began to openly criticize it. After that, it quickly rose to the top of the App Store and collected more than 1 million downloads. Administration spokesman Tom Homan said that the authorities will consider the responsibility of developers who create such services.