The creator of ICEBlock, a widely used app for tracking US immigration raids, is suing the Trump administration, claiming officials pressured Apple into removing the platform from its store in violation of free-speech protections.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, says ICEBlock had around one million users before it disappeared from the App Store. Developer Joshua Aaron argues the government targeted the app because it helped communities monitor and share alerts about ICE enforcement operations.
“When we see our government doing something wrong, it’s our duty as citizens of this nation to hold them accountable, and that is exactly what we’re doing with this lawsuit,” Aaron wrote.
The suit seeks court protection for the Texas-based company from what it calls “unlawful threats” by the federal government. It names several top officials as defendants, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE director Todd Lyons.
ICEBlock launched in April and rapidly spread among immigrant communities and advocacy networks. Its removal came as Trump ramped up mass deportation efforts in his second term, targeting a broad spectrum of immigrants and deploying heavily armed ICE units in raids that rights groups say have been marred by abuses.
The case now poses a test: where does public safety end and digital dissent begin?
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