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

Apple announced it had removed ICEBlock from its application marketplace after police informed them about concerning "security concerns" linked to this app and "related programs".

According to a announcement provided to news outlets, US Attorney General Pam Bondi had "insisted on" the app's withdrawal saying it was "developed to put enforcement personnel at harm".

The programmer responded that such assertions were "patently false" and alleged the tech firm of "surrendering to an authoritarian regime".

History of the Debated App

This software is among several programs launched this year in reaction to increased immigration crackdown raids across the America.

Critics - like the creator of this application - accuse the authorities of abusing its influence and "creating anxiety" to local neighborhoods.

The complimentary app works by revealing the whereabouts of enforcement agents. It has been acquired in excess of a one million times in the America.

Security Issues

Nevertheless, law enforcement maintained it was being used to target immigration agents, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation saying that the suspect who assaulted an ICE facility in the city in recently - murdering two detainees - had utilized related software to track the movements of officers and their cars.

In a statement, Apple said: "We established the digital storefront to be a protected and dependable environment to find software.

"Following data we've received from law enforcement about the potential dangers linked to the software, we have eliminated it and related programs from the digital platform."

Developer's Response

However its developer, Joshua Aaron, denied it created a threat.

"ICEBlock is comparable with public reporting police locations, which each significant location software, even their internal Maps app," he said.

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

The developer - who has been employed in the tech industry for a long time - before stated he designed the software out of worry over a increase in enforcement operations.

"I definitely watched pretty closely during the previous administration and then I listened to the rhetoric during the election race for the second," he stated.

"I started considering what was about to transpire and what I could achieve to ensure public safety."

Administration Position

The White House and Federal Bureau of Investigation had condemned the software after it debuted in recent months and downloads rose.