Acting North Texas attorney Nancy Larson discusses the dangers posed by Ice tracking apps, a video of law enforcement protections and the recent Ice agency shooting. ‘
The House Committee on Homeland Security called on Google and Apple to explain what action is being taken to remove apps that allow users to follow alerts for immigration enforcement.
The committee sent letters on Friday to CEO Sundar Pichar Pichai and Aleale CEO TIM Cook Cook ecaling at Iceblock, an application previously used to look for US dust and agents for customer service.
Google said in October that ICEBLOCK has never been found in its Play Store and that similar apps are being taken down for policy violations. Apple also said at the time it removed Iceblock and other tracking apps from its app store following pressure from the Trump administration.
House lawmakers objected to the letters on the dangers of the applications “at risk to the safety of DHS employees” and asked to be called by Del. 12.
Apple takes tracking apps off the ice after pressure from bondi
House lawmakers said the app’s vulnerability “puts the safety of DHS employees at risk.” (Getty Images / Getty Images)
The letters demanded that Google and Apple make sure that these applications cannot be used to direct agents or prevent the operation of preventive measures.
The committee says that while free speech is protected, it does not include advocacy that brings imminent illegal action.
These letters were brought after criticism that these applications allow users to track the movements of federal agents, including the protection of ice and customs and border protection, to warn about the migration of people who are flooding as part of President Donald Trump’s Mass Report Agenda.
Conservatives rally around Apple removing Ice tracking apps to protect law enforcement
The letters demanded that Google and Apple make sure that these applications cannot be used to direct agents or prevent the operation of preventive measures. (Tayfun coskun / anadolu agency via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Attorney General Pam Bondi said those apps “put Ice agents at risk in doing their jobs.”
Apple identified a violation of its policies against content that could harm individuals or groups.
Claims that the app has served as a tool to harm law enforcement authorities are “sequential,” according to Iceblock’s website.
“Iceblock is no different from the fast crowd traps, all notable mapping applications, including Apple’s Maps application, services as part of its core services,” the website reads. “This is speech protected under the first amendment to the United States Constitution.”
Iceblock’s website said that allegations that the app served as a tool to harm law enforcement authorities are “patronizingly false.” (Smith Collection / GADO / GETTY Images / Getty Images)
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“We are determined to fight this with everything we have,” the website added of the deleted app. “Our job has always been to protect our neighbors because of the fear that this administration is ruling over the people of this nation. We will not help.”
The app removes and follows the operation of the Iceblock download. They had over a million users before being taken down.
“Promoting authoritarianism is not the right time,” Iceblock’s website reads.
Reuters contributed to this report.
