The House Committee on Homeland Security has asked Google and Apple to provide details on measures being taken to remove mobile applications that allow users to track federal immigration officers.
World Cup 2026 Draw: Coaches React to Group Stage Challenges
In letters sent on Friday to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, committee leaders highlighted ICEBlock, an app that was previously used to monitor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. Lawmakers warned that such apps could “jeopardize the safety of DHS personnel” and requested a briefing from the companies by December 12.
The committee emphasized that while free speech is protected under the Constitution, it does not cover advocacy that incites imminent lawless action, citing a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Lawmakers urged Google and Apple to ensure that apps on their platforms cannot be used to target officers or obstruct lawful immigration enforcement.
Google told Reuters in October that ICEBlock was never available on its Play Store and that similar apps had been removed for policy violations. Apple removed ICEBlock and other tracking apps from its App Store, citing breaches of policies against content that could harm individuals or groups.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the apps “put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs,” following a surge in downloads of ICEBlock, which had over a million users before being pulled.
As of Friday, Google and Apple had not responded to requests for comment on the committee’s letters.
