ICEBlock, an app that lets customers anonymously report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, has soared up App Retailer charts after receiving criticism from the Trump administration. On Monday, US Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem responded to CNN’s coverage of ICEBlock in a post on X, calling it an “obstruction of justice.”
Following this remark, ICEBlock grew in reputation in a single day, bringing it to the top of the App Retailer on Tuesday earlier than dropping to the third spot on the time of writing. In accordance to its website, ICEBlock lets customers report sightings of ICE officers with “two faucets” and consider stories that others have made inside a five-mile radius.” It additionally says the app shops no private knowledge, “making it not possible to hint stories again to particular person customers.”
On Tuesday, Noem told reporters that she’s going to work with the Division of Justice to see if the Trump administration can “prosecute” CNN over its ICEBlock report: “What they’re doing is actively encouraging individuals to keep away from regulation enforcement actions and operations.” ICE acting Director Todd Lyons also claimed CNN’s reporting is “willfully endangering the lives of officers.”
A message inside ICEBlock says “it’s not for use for the needs of inciting violence or interfering with regulation enforcement,” in keeping with CNN. ICEBlock launched in April in response to President Trump’s mass deportation efforts throughout the nation. CNN says ICEBlock has over 20,000 customers who’re largely situated in Los Angeles, the place many ICE raids are being carried out.
The Trump administration’s threats have solely appeared to extend curiosity in ICEBlock, which has since seen fakes make their way to the Google Play Retailer, the place it’s at the moment not accessible as a result of “there isn’t any means to offer 100% anonymity” on Android, in keeping with the app’s developer. Trump supporters and right-wing influencers have additionally began interacting with the app, with some of them claiming they’re “flooding” ICEBlock with faux stories in an try and drown out actual sightings.
The Verge reached out to Apple with a request for remark about ICEBlock’s presence on the App Retailer however didn’t instantly hear again.