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Apple has removed apps that enabled users to flag observations of agents from the immigration enforcement agency.

The company declared it had taken down the tracking application from its App Store after law enforcement notified them about possible "security concerns" associated with this software and "similar apps".

Based on a announcement sent to media organizations, the top law enforcement official the Attorney General had "insisted on" the app's removal stating it was "developed to put enforcement personnel at harm".

The app's creator argued that such assertions were "patently false" and accused the tech firm of "giving in to an dictatorial administration".

Background of the Debated App

ICEBlock is one of multiple apps released this year in response to increased border control raids across the US.

Opponents - such as the creator of this application - accuse the authorities of exploiting its powers and "bringing anxiety" to local neighborhoods.

The no-cost software functions by showing the whereabouts of enforcement agents. It has been installed more than a 1 million occasions in the United States.

Risk Factors

However, law enforcement maintained it was being employed to single out ICE officers, with the federal investigators indicating that the suspect who attacked an ICE facility in the city in last month - killing two detainees - had employed similar apps to track the activities of agents and their cars.

According to their announcement, the technology firm commented: "We established the digital storefront to be a safe and trusted platform to locate software.

"Based on intelligence we've gathered from police about the security concerns linked to ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store."

Developer's Response

Nevertheless its maker, the developer, disputed it posed a danger.

"This application is no different from public reporting speed traps, which all major mapping application, such as their internal Maps app," he said.

"This is constitutionally protected expression under the constitutional protection of the United States Constitution."

Joshua Aaron - who has been employed in the technology sector for many years - earlier mentioned he developed the software out of concern over a surge in ICE activities.

"I definitely observed intently during the previous administration and then I paid attention to the language during the campaign for the second," he said.

"My brain started firing on what was going to happen and what I could achieve to ensure public safety."

Government Reaction

The executive branch and FBI had criticized the software after it debuted in recent months and usage grew.