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In a significant move, Meta has taken down a Facebook group page that was reportedly being used to “dox and target” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Chicago. This action came after the Department of Justice (DOJ) directly contacted the social media giant.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the removal via an X post, stating the DOJ’s commitment to “continue engaging tech companies to eliminate platforms where radicals can incite imminent violence against federal law enforcement.” A Meta spokesperson confirmed the page’s removal, though they did not disclose details regarding its size or the specific content that led to the action.
The spokesperson clarified that the group was removed for “violating our policies against coordinated harm,” referencing Meta’s guidelines on “Coordinating Harm and Promoting Crime.”
This takedown by Meta is not an isolated incident; it aligns with recent actions by other major tech firms. Both Apple and Google have previously removed apps designed to anonymously report the locations of ICE agents and other law enforcement personnel.
Earlier, Apple removed the “ICEBlock” app after Attorney General Bondi asserted it was “designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs.” Apple’s statement then cited information from law enforcement regarding alleged “safety risks” as the reason for its removal.
Google, while not hosting the ICEBlock app, confirmed in October that it had independently removed “similar apps for violations of our policies,” even without direct contact from the DOJ.
Joshua Aaron, the creator of the ICEBlock app, voiced strong criticism against Apple and the White House. He drew parallels between his app and navigation services like Waze, which allow users to report police sightings to avoid speeding tickets. Aaron contended that these removals signify “our fundamental constitutional rights in this country being stripped away by this administration, and the powers that be who are capitulating to their requests.”