US lawmakers have asked Google and Apple to explain what measures they are taking to remove mobile apps that allow users to track federal immigration officers. In letters to Sundar Pichai and Tim Cook, the House homeland security committee cited ICEBlock, saying such apps risk “jeopardising the safety of DHS personnel.” Legislators requested a briefing by December 12 and urged the companies to prevent tools that could obstruct lawful immigration enforcement.
The committee stressed that protected speech does not include advocacy that incites imminent unlawful action. Google and Apple did not respond to Reuters’ queries. Lawmakers raised concerns after reports that users anonymously tracked ICE and CBP agents. Both companies previously removed ICEBlock and similar apps for policy violations. Attorney general Pam Bondi said the tools “put ICE agents at risk,” while Apple cited rules against harmful content.