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The company has pulled apps that allowed users to report sightings of agents from ICE.

The company stated it had removed ICEBlock from its application marketplace after law enforcement alerted them about possible "safety risks" associated with this app and "similar apps".

Per a statement shared with news outlets, US Attorney General the official had "requested" the app's elimination saying it was "created to place immigration agents at risk".

Its developer countered that such allegations were "demonstrably incorrect" and charged the tech firm of "capitulating to an dictatorial administration".

History of the Controversial App

The application is among several applications introduced this year in reaction to increased border control activities across the US.

Opponents - including the maker of the app - accuse the administration of exploiting its authority and "spreading anxiety" to US streets.

The free app operates by displaying the whereabouts of immigration officers. It has been installed more than a one million occasions in the United States.

Security Issues

Nonetheless, authorities contended it was being utilized to target immigration agents, with the FBI indicating that the suspect who targeted an immigration center in Texas in last month - murdering two individuals - had used comparable applications to follow the activities of personnel and their cars.

In a statement, the company stated: "We created the digital storefront to be a secure and reliable place to find apps.

"Based on information we've received from police about the security concerns connected to this application, we have eliminated it and similar apps from the App Store."

Creator's Reaction

Nevertheless its developer, Joshua Aaron, disputed it presented a risk.

"This application is comparable with crowd sourcing speed traps, which all major navigation app, including their internal navigation software," he stated.

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

The developer - who has worked in the technology sector for many years - before explained he developed the app out of worry over a spike in enforcement operations.

"I definitely observed pretty closely during the former government and then I heard the language during the political contest for the current," he explained.

"My brain started considering what was likely to occur and what I could achieve to ensure public safety."

Government Reaction

The administration and FBI had denounced the application after it debuted in April and installations increased.