House Panel Pressures Google, Apple Over Apps Tracking U.S. Immigration Officers

The House Committee on Homeland Security has asked Google and Apple to explain what measures they are taking to remove mobile applications that allow users to track federal immigration officers. In separate letters sent on Friday to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, lawmakers highlighted ICEBlock — an app previously used to monitor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — warning that such tools risk “jeopardizing the safety of DHS personnel.” The committee has requested a briefing by December 12.

Committee leaders urged both companies to ensure that apps on their platforms cannot be used to target officers or obstruct lawful immigration enforcement, stressing that while free speech is protected, it does not extend to advocacy that incites imminent unlawful action. Concerns have grown over tools that allow anonymous reporting and tracking of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents. Google and Apple did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the issue.

The scrutiny follows recent actions by both tech giants. Google said in October that ICEBlock was never available on the Play Store, adding that it had removed similar tracking apps for policy violations. Apple also removed ICEBlock and related apps at the time, citing rules against content that could endanger individuals or groups. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said the apps “put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs,” after ICEBlock surged past one million users before its removal.

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