Someone created an app that alerts you to ICE sightings in your area

[Dixiegrrrl]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/30/business/video/iceblock-app-immigration-duffy-digvid

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. App that allows people to share ICE sightings gets boost in downloads after White House backlash

ICEBlock, launched in April, encourages users to “see something, tap something” when they see ICE agents nearby.

App that allows people to share ICE sightings gets boost in downloads after White House backlash

— Mybuddysully (@mybuddysully.bsky.social) 2025-07-02T18:43:23.844Z

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/iceblock-app-ice-agent-sightings-tops-app-store-white-house-backlash-rcna216327

A new platform that encourages users to share information about sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents nearby rose to the top of the Apple App Store this week, amid criticism from Trump administration officials who say the app could put agents at risk.

ICEBlock, which launched in April, made headlines after a CNN article about it was called out by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons on Monday. Both cited concerns over agent safety in their statements about the app, stating that “agents are facing a 500% increase in assaults.”

But Joshua Aaron, ICEBlock’s Texas-based developer, called the administration’s recent criticism “another right-wing fearmongering scare tactic,” telling NBC News in a phone interview on Tuesday that his app was designed to be a resource for immigrants who are fearful they will get deported. He said he felt like he was “watching history repeat itself” when he saw things like “5-year-olds in courtrooms with no representation” and “college students being disappeared for their political opinions.”

“When I saw what was happening in this country, I really just wanted to do something to help fight back,” said Aaron, a onetime musician who spent several months working on the app. “I grew up in a Jewish household, and being part of the Jewish community, I had the chance to meet Holocaust survivors and learn the history of what happened in Nazi Germany, and the parallels that we can draw between what’s happening right now in our country and Hitler’s rise to power are undeniable.”

Link to tweet

The app, which is free and gives users the ability to anonymously report ICE sightings within a five-mile radius, had approximately 95,200 users as of Monday, Aaron said. He said he has not received updated figures from Apple since the White House and ICE issued their comments on the app.

[UTUSN]

2. Well, nice lately to see posts that 911 could be called for unmarked assaults but

that might only work once and then get charged for interference.

[msongs]

3. ICE aka groups of overly armed men with no ID, badges, name tags, or warrant. You know, street gangs nt

[Ms. Toad]

4. Unfortunately, only available for Apple products. n/t

[Dixiegrrrl]

6. Damn.

Me be that can change soon.

[usonian]

10. Security flaw in android. Developer says risky.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220451649

[Dixiegrrrl]

13. Good to know. Thanks. n/t

[usonian]

14. You can copy anything in the post and share.

The more visibility, the better.

[Dixiegrrrl]

15. Found out why only Apple has it. Privacy issue

Explained here:
https://www.iceblock.app/android

[Autumn]

5. I downloaded it but it has a five mile limit from your location.

Other than that it seems okay. I prefer People Over Papers.

[Dixiegrrrl]

7. Can you share some info about People Over Papers?

[usonian]

9. Once you are outside home radius, it adapts.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220451649

[Faux pas]

8. A friend of mine

who lives in San Bernardino, SoCal told me she gets notifications on her cell phone. She isn't tech savvy in any way so I know it wasn't something she downloaded. There is a very large Hispanic population there, so maybe it's a public service alert? Either way it's far effing out and should be everywhere

[usonian]

11. More info. You can copy it.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220451649

[berkerly6240]

12. Magats are using it to scare people now...reporting false sightings..

..

[LetMyPeopleVote]

16. The creator of the ICEBlock app -- which tracks ICE agents in real time -- dares Donald Trump to arrest him.

BREAKING: The creator of the ICEBlock app — which tracks ICE agents in real time — dares Donald Trump to arrest him.

“Come after me. Demonize me all you want. I’m not backing down.”

— Krassensteins (@krassenstein.bsky.social) 2025-07-05T19:08:19.289Z

BREAKING: The creator of the ICEBlock app — which tracks ICE agents in real time — dares Donald Trump to arrest him.

“Come after me. Demonize me all you want. I’m not backing down.”

🔥 The challenge has been thrown.

NOTHING will happen because no grand jury would ever indict him for using his first amendment rights.