03Oct 2025 by alex No Comments

Apple & Google Remove Apps That Report ICE Agent Sightings

Apple and Google have removed several apps — notably ICEBlock and Red Dot — that allowed users to report or view reported sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Apple said it removed ICEBlock and similar apps after receiving information from law enforcement about safety risks; Google said ICEBlock was never on Google Play but that it removed similar apps for policy violations.

Why the apps were removed

Safety concerns: Companies cited potential risks to law enforcement and others after a shooting at a Dallas ICE facility on Sept. 24; reports indicate the shooter had been following apps that track ICE agent locations.
User-generated content moderation: Google emphasized that apps with user-submitted content must clearly define unacceptable material in their terms and align with Google Play policies.

About the apps

Red Dot’s website stated it aggregates “verified reports from multiple trusted sources” and that it “never tracks ICE agents, law enforcement, or any person’s movements,” adding the developers reject harassment or interference. Despite those claims, Red Dot is no longer available on the App Store or Play Store.

Reactions

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi urged Apple to remove ICEBlock, calling such apps a risk to agents doing their jobs. Apple said it acted based on information from law enforcement. Google says it acted proactively and did not receive a similar removal request.

Context and coverage

The removals have been reported by outlets including ABC7 and Engadget. Coverage notes concerns about balancing public reporting tools and potential risks to individuals. Some developers argue the apps are community- or evidence-driven tools rather than instruments of harassment.

Sources

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Apple & Google Remove ICE sighting apps (ICEBlock, Red Dot) — Details and context