CNN under fire for ‘promoting’ ICEBlock app allowing users to track, avoid ICE agents

The app, designed by developer Joshua Aaron, CNN said, is designed to alert people to nearby ICE agent sightings. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that such an app would be “encouraging violence” against ICE agents when asked by Mary Margaret Olohan about the app along with the rise in assaults on ICE agents

ICE acting Director Todd Lyons responded to the CNN coverage of the app, stating “CNN’s promotion of an ‘ICE spotting’ app is reckless and irresponsible."

“Advertising an app that basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers’ backs is sickening. My officers and agents are already facing a 500% increase in assaults, and going on live television to announce an app that lets anyone zero in on their locations is like inviting violence against them with a national megaphone.

"CNN is willfully endangering the lives of officers who put their lives on the line every day and enabling dangerous criminal aliens to evade U.S. law. Is this simply reckless 'journalism' or overt activism?" Lyons added.

The clip from CNN said that the app is "pushing back" against the Trump administration with the software that provides "real time" alerts to where ICE is operating by giving users the ability to anonymously submit sightings of where ICE is at and that those within 5 miles around the sighting will be notified if they have the app.

The founder of the app, Joshua Aaron, has said that he does not want users to interfere with ICE, but only to use it for information purposes: “Please note that the use of this app is for information and notification purposes only. It is not to be used for the purposes of inciting violence or interfering with law enforcement," he told CNN.