Lawmakers on the House Committee on Homeland Security are pressing Google and Apple to remove mobile applications that allow users to track federal immigration officers, citing concerns that such apps endanger Department of Homeland Security personnel.
In letters sent Friday to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, committee leaders highlighted ICEBlock, an app previously used to monitor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Lawmakers warned that apps hosted on Google and Apple platforms risk “jeopardizing the safety of DHS personnel” and requested briefings on company actions by December 12.
The committee emphasized that while free speech is constitutionally protected, it does not extend to advocacy that incites imminent lawless action, referencing a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
“These apps put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. Apple cited violations of its policies prohibiting content that could harm individuals or groups.
The letters follow reports that such tools allow users to anonymously track federal agents, including those from ICE and Customs and Border Protection. ICEBlock, which had more than one million users, was removed from Apple’s App Store in October. Google said the app was never available on its Play Store but confirmed it had removed similar apps for policy violations.
Google and Apple have not responded to requests for comment. Lawmakers are urging both companies to ensure that these apps cannot be used to target officers or interfere with lawful immigration enforcement.