Apple takes down ICE tracking apps after pressure from Bondi DOJ

FIRST ON FOX: Apple dropped ICEBlock, a widely used tracking tool, from its App Store on Thursday in response to the Department of Justice raising concerns that the app put law enforcement officers’ safety at risk.DOJ officials, at the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, requested Apple take down ICEBlock from its App Store, a move that comes as Trump administration officials have claimed the tracking tool puts law enforcement officers in danger and helps shield illegal immigrants.In a statement to Fox News Digital, Bondi confirmed the department reached out to the big tech giant."We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their App Store — and Apple did so," Bondi said. "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."BONDI DECLARES ‘NEW ERA’ OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AS FEDERAL AGENTS DEPLOY TO ICE FACILITIES NATIONWIDEControversy surrounding ICE tracking apps intensified after last month’s deadly shooting at an ICE field office in Dallas, the latest in a series of attacks that appeared to be targeted at immigration enforcement officers.Authorities said the suspect, Joshua Jahn, searched his phone for tracking apps, including ICEBlock, before opening fire on the facility from a rooftop. Authorities said Jahn killed one detainee and left two critically injured but that the immigrants were not his intended targets. One of the injured, a 32-year-old husband and father of four, died this week.Marcos Charles, an acting director for ICE’s removal operations, said during a press conference that Jahn had intended to murder ICE employees and that attacks on them have skyrocketed."The evidence is clear that this was intended as an assault on ICE personnel who come to work everyday 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."Fox News Digital reached out to Apple and ICEBlock for comment.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei FOX Business Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei FOX Business