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The company has withdrawn applications that enabled users to flag observations of personnel from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The company announced it had eliminated ICEBlock from its App Store after law enforcement notified them about concerning "safety risks" associated with the application and "comparable applications".

Based on a statement sent to news outlets, the top law enforcement official Pam Bondi had "requested" the app's removal claiming it was "designed to put immigration agents at risk".

The programmer countered that such allegations were "patently false" and charged Apple of "surrendering to an oppressive government".

History of the Controversial App

ICEBlock is among numerous programs introduced recently in answer to increased immigration crackdown operations across the US.

Critics - such as the maker of ICEBlock - charge the administration of misusing its influence and "bringing anxiety" to American communities.

The no-cost software works by showing the movements of ICE personnel. It has been downloaded in excess of a 1 million times in the United States.

Security Issues

Nevertheless, authorities contended it was being used to focus on immigration agents, with the FBI indicating that the individual who assaulted an ICE facility in Dallas in recently - fatally shooting two persons - had utilized similar apps to monitor the locations of personnel and their vehicles.

Through an official declaration, the company said: "We established the digital storefront to be a safe and trusted platform to find software.

"Based on information we've obtained from law enforcement about the potential dangers associated with the software, we have removed it and comparable applications from the App Store."

Creator's Reaction

However its developer, the programmer, refuted it created a risk.

"ICEBlock is comparable with crowd sourcing speed traps, which each significant navigation app, including their internal navigation software," he stated.

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

The developer - who has had experience in the software field for years - previously stated he designed the app out of concern over a spike in enforcement operations.

"I certainly watched very carefully during the former government and then I listened to the rhetoric during the political contest for the present," he explained.

"My mind started thinking about what was about to transpire and what I could accomplish to ensure public safety."

Official Response

The White House and FBI had denounced the application after it was released in spring and usage rose.