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Apple has removed apps that allowed users to identify sightings of officers from the immigration enforcement agency.

The technology giant announced it had taken down the tracking application from its application marketplace after police alerted them about possible "dangerous implications" linked to the application and "similar apps".

Per a statement shared with press agencies, the top law enforcement official Pam Bondi had "insisted on" the app's removal stating it was "created to put immigration agents at danger".

The programmer responded that such allegations were "patently false" and charged the tech firm of "capitulating to an dictatorial administration".

History of the Disputed App

This software is among several apps released this year in reaction to increased immigration crackdown raids across the US.

Detractors - such as the developer of this application - allege the government of exploiting its influence and "creating anxiety" to US streets.

The complimentary application functions by showing the whereabouts of immigration officers. It has been acquired over a million instances in the United States.

Risk Factors

Nonetheless, authorities argued it was being utilized to target enforcement personnel, with the federal investigators saying that the suspect who assaulted an immigration center in Texas in last month - murdering two individuals - had employed related software to follow the activities of personnel and their cars.

Through an official declaration, Apple stated: "We created the application marketplace to be a secure and reliable place to locate apps.

"Following data we've gathered from police about the security concerns linked to ICEBlock, we have withdrawn it and related programs from the App Store."

Programmer's Position

Nevertheless its creator, the developer, denied it posed a threat.

"ICEBlock is no different from crowd sourcing traffic enforcement, which every notable navigation app, even the company's proprietary Maps app," he stated.

"This is protected speech under the first amendment of the United States Constitution."

The developer - who has had experience in the technology sector for a long time - before mentioned he designed the application out of worry over a surge in ICE activities.

"I certainly observed pretty closely during the prior leadership and then I listened to the rhetoric during the political contest for the second," he stated.

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

Official Response

The administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation had criticized the application after it debuted in April and usage rose.