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Apple has pulled applications that permitted users to flag observations of officers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Apple declared it had eliminated ICEBlock from its application marketplace after authorities notified them about potential "security concerns" associated with this software and "related programs".

Per a statement provided to news outlets, the top law enforcement official the official had "requested" the app's withdrawal stating it was "designed to put enforcement personnel at harm".

The programmer responded that such claims were "patently false" and charged the company of "giving in to an oppressive government".

Background of the Controversial App

ICEBlock is one of multiple programs released this year in response to increased border control raids across the United States.

Opponents - such as the developer of this application - accuse the government of misusing its powers and "creating terror" to local neighborhoods.

The complimentary software functions by showing the locations of enforcement agents. It has been installed over a one million occasions in the US.

Security Issues

Nonetheless, officials contended it was being employed to focus on ICE officers, with the FBI saying that the person who attacked an immigration center in the city in recently - fatally shooting two individuals - had utilized related software to track the locations of personnel and their transportation.

According to their announcement, the technology firm commented: "We created the App Store to be a protected and dependable platform to discover apps.

"Based on intelligence we've gathered from law enforcement about the security concerns connected to this application, we have removed it and comparable applications from the application marketplace."

Developer's Response

But its creator, Joshua Aaron, disputed it presented a risk.

"ICEBlock is similar to public reporting police locations, which all major location software, such as the company's proprietary Maps app," he said.

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

Joshua Aaron - who has worked in the tech industry for years - earlier mentioned he designed the app out of worry over a spike in enforcement operations.

"I certainly observed pretty closely during the previous administration and then I heard the discourse during the campaign for the present," he said.

"My mind started thinking about what was likely to occur and what I could do to keep people safe."

Administration Position

The administration and federal law enforcement had condemned the software after it debuted in April and installations grew.