The developers behind the previously trending app ICEBlock have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for allegedly playing a hand in its takedown.
ICEBlock Sues Trump Administration After Apple Takedown
ICEBlock developers have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its alleged involvement in the app's takedown from the Apple App Store. The lawsuit from developer Josh Aaron focuses on free speech violations against the Trump administration.
Apple removed ICEBlock from the Apple App Store back in October, and this was also the same time when the app was taken down from the Google Play Store.
According to Aaron (via the New York Times), "A lesson we should all take from this is when we see our government is doing something wrong, it is our duty to stand up."
In the lawsuit filed, he claims that the ICEBlock app "neither enables nor encourages confrontation," claiming that the app is only delivering time-limited location information for users to stay vigilant.
The ICEBlock app was developed in response to the Trump administration's fight against illegal immigrants, allowing users to pin sightings of ICE agents on a map.
Since then, many users have joined together to provide real-time information on ICE agents they spot around the neighborhood, with the app also allowing users to pin their locations, describe what they are wearing, and/or reveal the vehicle used.
Other Allegations in the Lawsuit
According to the lawsuit, Aaron claims that the Trump administration not only had a hand in coercing Apple into taking down the app from the App Store, but it also made "unlawful threats" for the app to be removed.
The developer regarded this as a threat to free speech and information for users, especially as the app only alerts users regarding sightings.
Since the early days of the app, US officials had already called for its takedown, citing that it is unsafe and further escalates the tension between the public and the government. This was during the time the app rose to the top charts of the Apple App Store and saw a volume of users taking part in reporting sightings of ICE officers, centered in areas like Los Angeles, California.
That said, the ICEBlock app still splits pubic opinion in the middle as others are thinking about the dangers brought by the app, particularly as there are some network anomalies found within the app.
It has been months since the ICEBlock app was rendered unavailable on smartphones, but users may still use it on the web to continue their reports and spot ICE agents within their vicinity.
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