Now Google too: Group takes action against ICE tracking apps

After Apple, Google has now followed suit: the company has removed an app from its Play Store that was used to report the whereabouts of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and intends to do the same in similar cases. Apple had previously removed the "ICEBlock" app from its app store under pressure from the US government. This allows users to anonymously report suspected ICE activities and locations in their neighbourhood and exchange warnings. According to Google, however, it has not received any such request from the government, but instead refers to its guidelines.

In Google's case, it was not about "ICEBlock", but about a similar app called "Red Dot". The company confirmed this to 404 Media. According to Google, apps that "reveal the location of vulnerable groups following violent attacks against these groups in connection with such apps" have also been removed.

"Red Dot" is also being removed by Apple

"Red Dot" is supposed to work very similarly to "ICEBlock". The latter allows users to report sightings of ICE officers within an eight-kilometre radius and view them on a map. The platform had over 1.1 million users before it was removed from the App Store, evenafter hype due to government criticism.

It was only on Thursday that Apple removed "ICEBlock" from its App Store and , according to the tech magazine "TheVerge", "Red Dot" as well, officially due to a violation of the guidelines on offensive content. The developer of the app rejected these accusations as unfounded and intends to defend itself against the move. On the "ICEBlock" website, the team clarifies that the app is currently generally not available for download.

Google: No pressure from the US government

US Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the initiative did not only come from Apple itself. She confirmed to a US television station that the US Department of Justice had directly asked Apple to remove the app – successfully. Bondi described the application as a dangerous tool that deliberately obstructs the work of ICE officials.

Previously, the Governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, had already loudly criticised the app as a form of obstruction of justice. She even argued that ICEBlock does not fall under the First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech.

However, Google assures 404 Media that it has not received any pressure from the Ministry of Justice. Apps with a high risk of abuse are blocked as a matter of principle. Apps with user-generated content must also fulfil certain content moderation requirements, which was not the case with "Red Dot". "ICEBlock was never available on Google Play, but we have removed similar apps for violating our policies," Google continued.

The makers of "Red Dot" have also reacted to the developments. On the app's website, they stress that the app is not intended to track ICE officers in real time or to store and process personal data. It goes on to say: "We categorically reject harassment or violence against people and act in full compliance with local, state and federal laws."

(nen)