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Apple has removed apps that allowed users to flag encounters of agents from ICE.

The technology giant announced it had taken down ICEBlock from its App Store after police informed them about possible "dangerous implications" associated with the application and "similar apps".

Per a announcement sent to press agencies, US Attorney General the official had "insisted on" the app's withdrawal stating it was "developed to place immigration agents at risk".

The app's creator argued that such assertions were "demonstrably incorrect" and accused the company of "capitulating to an oppressive government".

Context of the Controversial Software

ICEBlock is among multiple apps launched in recent months in answer to expanded immigration enforcement raids across the America.

Critics - like the developer of the app - allege the administration of abusing its influence and "creating terror" to US streets.

The free app works by showing the locations of ICE personnel. It has been installed over a 1 million times in the United States.

Risk Factors

However, law enforcement argued it was being used to focus on immigration agents, with the federal investigators indicating that the individual who assaulted an enforcement office in Dallas in recently - murdering two detainees - had employed related software to follow the activities of officers and their transportation.

According to their announcement, the technology firm commented: "We developed the application marketplace to be a protected and dependable place to locate apps.

"According to information we've obtained from police about the potential dangers associated with the software, we have withdrawn it and related programs from the application marketplace."

Developer's Response

Nevertheless its creator, the developer, refuted it presented a danger.

"ICEBlock is comparable with crowd sourcing police locations, which every notable location software, such as the company's proprietary Maps app," he stated.

"This is free speech rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution."

Mr Aaron - who has worked in the technology sector for many years - before stated he developed the software out of anxiety over a spike in enforcement operations.

"I certainly monitored intently during the previous administration and then I heard the language during the political contest for the second," he said.

"I started firing on what was likely to occur and what I could achieve to protect individuals."

Government Reaction

The administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation had criticized the software after it was released in recent months and usage rose.