Apple removed a widely used tracking app from its App Store on Thursday after the Department of Justice (DOJ), under the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, raised concerns that the tool endangered federal immigration officers.

The app, ICEBlock, allowed users to anonymously report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. DOJ officials argued the app put federal officers at risk and could help shield illegal aliens from enforcement operations.

🚨 BREAKING: Apple has finally TAKEN DOWN the ICEBlock app, which was used by leftists like the Dallas ICE shooter, to dox the location of ICE agents

Good, but this took WAY too long.

The Trump DOJ intervened, pushing Apple to make the move.

“We reached out to Apple today… pic.twitter.com/A18vZGjvkH

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 3, 2025

“We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so,” Bondi said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed. This Department of Justice will continue making every effort to protect our brave federal law enforcement officers, who risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.”

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The decision comes amid heightened concern over rising violence against ICE personnel.

Last month, a shooting at an ICE field office in Dallas, Texas, left one detainee dead and two critically injured.

Officials said the suspect, identified as Joshua Jahn, researched tracking apps, including ICEBlock, before opening fire from a rooftop.

Investigators concluded Jahn’s intended targets were ICE employees. One of the injured victims, a 32-year-old father of four, later died from his injuries.

Marcos Charles, acting director of ICE’s removal operations, said at a press conference that attacks on ICE officers have dramatically increased.

“The evidence is clear that this was intended as an assault on ICE personnel who come to work every day to do their job,” Charles said.

“Violent rhetoric has led to an over 1000% increase in assaults on ICE officers, and it has to stop.”

Apple confirmed the app’s removal in a statement, noting it took action after reviewing law enforcement concerns.

“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,” Apple said.

Joshua Aaron, the creator of ICEBlock, criticized Apple’s decision. “Capitulating to an authoritarian regime is never the right move,” Aaron said in a statement.

“Apple has claimed they received information from law enforcement that ICEBlock served to harm law enforcement officers. This is patently false.”

Aaron maintained that ICEBlock, which had more than 1.1 million users, functioned similarly to other crowdsourced mapping apps, such as those that alert drivers about speed traps.

He argued the app was not intended to facilitate violence.

“We are determined to fight this with everything we have,” Aaron said.

“Our mission has always been to protect our neighbors from the terror this administration continues to reign down on the people of this nation.”

The removal of ICEBlock highlights growing tensions between federal authorities and technology companies over applications that can interfere with law enforcement operations.

DOJ officials have said the move is part of broader efforts to protect federal officers from targeted attacks, while Aaron and other supporters of the app argue it represents a free speech and community safety issue.

As of Thursday evening, ICEBlock and similar apps were no longer available for download from Apple’s App Store.

The DOJ said it will continue reviewing platforms and tools that pose risks to federal personnel.