Apple removes ICE-tracking app after US pressure

Apple has removed a mobile app that allowed users to track and anonymously report sightings of US immigration officers, reportedly under pressure from authorities.

The app, known as ICEBlock, was taken down from the App Store on Friday. The free, iPhone-only platform had relied on crowdsourced reports to flag Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and, according to its developer, had already reached more than one million users.

"We just received a message from Apple's App Review that #ICEBlock has been removed due to 'objectionable content.' The only thing we can imagine is this is due to pressure from the Trump administration," the developer wrote on social media, vowing to appeal the decision.

Although new downloads have been halted, existing users will still be able to access the app.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment but told other outlets that the app posed safety concerns. "Based on information from law enforcement about the risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps," the company said.

The removal comes amid heightened immigration enforcement in the US and rising criticism of technology used to monitor ICE activity.