Google follows Apple in removing ICE-tracking apps, cites 'high risk of abuse'

A day after Apple removed the app ICEBlock from its iOS App Store, Google has taken down a similar app, Red Dot, from the Play Store, a report has said. Google confirmed the removal of Red Dot, explaining that its decision was based on a policy against apps presenting ‘a high risk of abuse’. Both apps have been designed to allow users to anonymously report sightings of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and view nearby alerts. It has been argued that such tools could potentially endanger law enforcement officers.

According to a report by 404 Media, Google said it did not receive any outreach from the Department of Justice about the issue.

Following a recent act of violence at the ICE facility, Google removed applications saying that it removes apps that facilitate sharing the location of ‘vulnerable groups’. While Google noted that ICEBlock was never available on the Play Store, the company confirmed that its moderation standards apply broadly to any app that handles user-generated content.


“ICEBlock was never available on Google Play, but we removed similar apps for violations of our policies,” Google added.

Apple removes ICEBlock following Trump administration's pressure
Apple removed the popular application ICEBlock and several similar apps from its App Store – triggering debate over technology, government oversight and civil liberties. ICEBlock – just like Red Dot – had been used by hundreds of thousands of people, allowing individuals to anonymously report and view the locations of nearby ICE agents within a five-mile radius.

The removal follows mounting pressure from the Trump administration, which reportedly threatened legal action against both the app’s creators and media outlets reporting on the tool. Apple confirmed it removed the apps after receiving contact from "law enforcement," though it did not specify which agency or agencies were involved.

By providing real-time alerts on ICE agent locations, ICEBlock quickly became a focal point in the national discussion concerning immigration enforcement, privacy rights, and free speech protections. While critics argued that the app could endanger federal agents, supporters defended it as an essential tool for community awareness and protection.