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The company has removed apps that allowed users to identify encounters of agents from the immigration enforcement agency.

Apple stated it had eliminated the tracking application from its application marketplace after authorities informed them about possible "safety risks" associated with the application and "comparable applications".

According to a declaration sent to press agencies, the top law enforcement official the Attorney General had "requested" the app's withdrawal claiming it was "developed to place ICE officers at risk".

The app's creator responded that such claims were "completely untrue" and alleged the company of "surrendering to an oppressive government".

History of the Disputed Application

The application is one of several applications released recently in answer to expanded border control raids across the US.

Opponents - including the creator of the app - allege the administration of misusing its powers and "creating fear" to American communities.

The no-cost software functions by revealing the whereabouts of enforcement agents. It has been acquired in excess of a 1 million times in the United States.

Risk Factors

Nonetheless, officials argued it was being used to target enforcement personnel, with the FBI indicating that the suspect who assaulted an ICE facility in Dallas in recently - fatally shooting two persons - had utilized similar apps to follow the locations of personnel and their transportation.

According to their announcement, Apple stated: "We developed the application marketplace to be a protected and dependable place to discover apps.

"According to data we've gathered from law enforcement about the security concerns connected to ICEBlock, we have removed it and comparable applications from the digital platform."

Creator's Reaction

However its creator, Joshua Aaron, refuted it presented a risk.

"This application is similar to public reporting traffic enforcement, which each significant mapping application, such as their internal mapping application," he commented.

"This represents constitutionally protected expression under the first amendment of the American Constitution."

The developer - who has worked in the tech industry for many years - earlier mentioned he created the app out of worry over a surge in ICE activities.

"I certainly observed intently during the previous administration and then I heard the rhetoric during the election race for the present," he said.

"I started firing on what was about to transpire and what I could accomplish to ensure public safety."

Government Reaction

The administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation had criticized the app after it launched in recent months and usage rose.