Texas developer Joshua Aaron has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming officials violated his free speech rights by pressuring Apple to remove his app, ICEBlock. The app alerted users about nearby U.S. immigration enforcement activity and gained more than one million users before Apple pulled it from its store in October.
Aaron argues that Attorney General Pam Bondi and other federal officials used state power to silence him. He says they threatened him and his family with criminal investigation. His lawsuit asks a federal judge to protect him from prosecution and to confirm that ICEBlock qualifies as speech under the First Amendment.
Bondi earlier said the app endangered Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Apple agreed and told Aaron that ICEBlock violated its policies because it revealed law enforcement locations. Aaron disputes this claim. He says the app operated similarly to Apple Maps, which alerts drivers to police speed checks.
Google also removed some related apps but never hosted ICEBlock.
Aaron says the growing aggression of immigration enforcement makes transparency essential. He hopes the lawsuit prevents future pressure campaigns. He also claims Apple’s action mirrors moves by authoritarian governments, such as China’s push to remove protest-related apps in Hong Kong.
