Apple has eliminated applications that monitored Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, which certain communities utilized to gather raid information for the safety of residents. The technology giant’s declared reason for the app removal is that applications observing immigration operations might endanger the safety of federal officials. “Based on feedback from law enforcement regarding the safety dangers linked to ICEBlock, we have taken it and similar applications off the App Store,” Apple commented. However, it is reported that Apple encountered pressure from the Trump administration to restrict app developers.

One application, ICEBlock, became the top downloaded app in the app store earlier this year during nationwide protests concerning the presence of immigration officials in U.S. cities. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to the app—collecting anonymous geolocation reports without retaining identifiable personal information—as an “obstruction of justice.” In response, anti-immigration applications like ICERaid were launched, offering blockchain rewards for “capturing, uploading and validating photographic evidence” of criminal acts by undocumented individuals. It also provides financial incentives for undocumented people to self-report their status through the CBP Home app, which was recently revamped by the Trump administration.

“ICEBlock is intended to endanger ICE agents simply for performing their duties, and violence against law enforcement is an unacceptable red line that should not be crossed,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi had previously warned of potential prosecution against the app’s creator, claiming his actions lack constitutional protection. Noem also hinted at prosecuting news outlets that reported on the app’s popularity.

Joshua Aaron, the developer of ICEBlock, expressed in a statement to 404Media following the app’s removal that this decision was an assault on free speech and asserted that the team would not yield to governmental pressure. “I am deeply disheartened by Apple’s actions today. Succumbing to an authoritarian regime is never the appropriate choice,” Aaron remarked. “ICEBlock is no different from crowdsourcing speed traps, a practice implemented by every prominent mapping application, including Apple’s own Maps app, as part of its fundamental services. This constitutes protected speech under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.”