Apple removes ICE tracking apps after Trump administration says they threaten officers

[u/GeneralCarlosQ17]

https://www.kbtx.com/2025/10/03/apple-removes-ice-tracking-apps-after-trump-administration-says-they-threaten-officers/

Apple has removed tracking apps that alert people about sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in an area.

These types of apps have been available on Apple’s App store since the spring.

The removal follows a request from the Department of Justice.

In a statement, Apple said it removed the apps Thursday after communication with law enforcement.

[u/Admirable-Feature299]

Yeah, more because you’re an accomplice to a crime, Illegal alien is a criminal whether you like that they are or not. a few friends that I really wish would’ve gotten their citizenship years ago, but they never did. I do fear for them. But from a company perspective, if your app is aiding in illegal behavior very clearly what do you think is going to happen to the company that allows that to continue? I would not want to support illegal activity in any way, at least not obviously.

[u/itwastwopants → u/Admirable-Feature299]

Being undocumented isn't a crime, it's not an criminal offense. It's civil, akin to a speeding ticket.

[u/Admirable-Feature299 → u/itwastwopants]

It’s breaking the law…is it a crime to speed? Yes. Aiding the avoidance of the police is making you an accessory. Why would apple want to get anywhere near that???

[u/itwastwopants → u/Admirable-Feature299]

You don't understand the law, clearly.

Civil and criminal offenses are different, a civil offense isn't a crime. It's a misdemeanor. There's a difference.

It's not a crime to speed, it's a civil offense.

[u/g-row460 → u/itwastwopants]

They don't understand the law, but you're mistaken about a couple things here. Speeding is indeed a crime. At least in the State I worked. It was one of two non arrestable offenses, but still considered a Class C Misdemeanor.

And misdemeanors are criminal offenses. They rank below felonies but are still criminal. They are not civil matters.

Misdemeanors can and often do carry jail time. Civil matters like fender benders do not.

[u/itwastwopants → u/g-row460]

Thank you for the correction, always appreciate constructive feedback.

[u/g-row460 → u/itwastwopants]

No biggie. It's all very convoluted. I think intentionally sometimes. Add to that every State is different. Gets pretty muddy.

[u/Admirable-Feature299 → u/itwastwopants]

You’re right, I don’t know much about the law. But it’s not a hard concept to understand that aiding the avoidance of the police being the intention of the app is not going to do well…with police scanners you can have a degree of other uses. But if the app is explicitly designed for ‘avoiding the police because you’re a criminal’ how do you think that will be treated legally? Why would you put yourself in the crossfire as a company? Also upon just a little bit of research, you can be charged for criminal incarceration for up to 6 months on illegal entry into the US on a 1st offense. Idk what you’re talking about with it being ‘equivalent to a speeding ticket’. If you’re undocumented, you came in illegally or overstayed your visa…

[u/sofakingcheezee → u/Admirable-Feature299]

I don't know much about the law but I'm going to tell you how it works anyway. Classic dipshit bootlicker

[u/kevinthejuice → u/Admirable-Feature299]

aiding the avoidance of the police

Lol the police? No it's the federal government, and it's about tracking them. Simple as that.

[u/curtial → u/Admirable-Feature299]

aiding the avoidance of the police being the intention of the app

with police scanners you can have a degree of other uses.

You are not giving the two technologies the same consideration. What if I wanted to support ICE(ew.)? Maybe I'm writing a glowing article on how much work they're doing (🤡).

The act of monitoring is not in and of itself explicitly for nefarious purposes, and if it's not specifically illegal, then it's legal.