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Apple has removed applications that enabled users to report encounters of officers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The technology giant declared it had eliminated ICEBlock from its application marketplace after authorities notified them about concerning "safety risks" linked to the application and "comparable applications".

Based on a announcement sent to press agencies, the top law enforcement official the Attorney General had "requested" the app's removal saying it was "designed to put immigration agents at danger".

The programmer argued that such allegations were "patently false" and accused the company of "giving in to an dictatorial administration".

History of the Controversial Software

This software is one of several programs released recently in response to heightened immigration crackdown raids across the United States.

Detractors - including the maker of this application - accuse the authorities of misusing its powers and "spreading terror" to local neighborhoods.

The no-cost app functions by revealing the locations of ICE personnel. It has been acquired in excess of a million occasions in the America.

Security Issues

Nonetheless, officials argued it was being used to single out enforcement personnel, with the federal investigators saying that the suspect who attacked an ICE facility in Dallas in September - killing two detainees - had employed related software to track the activities of officers and their transportation.

In a statement, Apple stated: "We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted platform to discover software.

"Following intelligence we've gathered from law enforcement about the potential dangers associated with the software, we have removed it and similar apps from the digital platform."

Programmer's Position

However its maker, Joshua Aaron, denied it presented a threat.

"The software is comparable with public reporting traffic enforcement, which all major location software, including their internal Maps app," he said.

"This is free speech rights under the constitutional protection of the American Constitution."

Joshua Aaron - who has had experience in the tech industry for years - before stated he developed the software out of worry over a spike in enforcement operations.

"I closely observed intently during the former government and then I listened to the discourse during the political contest for the current," he explained.

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

Government Reaction

The White House and Federal Bureau of Investigation had denounced the app after it debuted in April and installations grew.