The tech giant pulls ICE officer monitoring apps

Apple has pulled apps that allowed users to flag sightings of officers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The technology giant stated it had taken down the tracking application from its App Store after authorities notified them about potential "security concerns" associated with this software and "similar apps".

Based on a announcement sent to media organizations, the top law enforcement official the Attorney General had "insisted on" the app's elimination claiming it was "designed to put immigration agents at risk".

Its developer responded that such allegations were "completely untrue" and alleged the tech firm of "surrendering to an oppressive government".

History of the Disputed Application

The application is one of multiple apps introduced recently in response to increased border control operations across the US.

Critics - including the developer of the app - allege the administration of misusing its powers and "creating fear" to local neighborhoods.

The complimentary software functions by revealing the movements of ICE personnel. It has been installed more than a million instances in the United States.

Safety Concerns

However, authorities maintained it was being utilized to target immigration agents, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation stating that the person who assaulted an ICE facility in Dallas in September - murdering two detainees - had employed comparable applications to follow the movements of officers and their vehicles.

Through an official declaration, Apple commented: "We established the App Store to be a protected and dependable place to find software.

"According to data we've obtained from police about the potential dangers associated with this application, we have eliminated it and comparable applications from the App Store."

Programmer's Position

Nevertheless its creator, Joshua Aaron, disputed it presented a danger.

"The software is comparable with crowdsourcing speed traps, which each significant navigation app, such as the company's proprietary mapping application," he stated.

"This constitutes free speech rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution."

The developer - who has worked in the software field for a long time - before explained he created the software out of concern over a spike in immigration raids.

"I certainly monitored very carefully during the prior leadership and then I heard the language during the election race for the present," he said.

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

Administration Position

The administration and federal law enforcement had denounced the software after it debuted in recent months and downloads rose.