Apple removes ICE officer monitoring applications
The company has pulled applications that enabled users to report sightings of personnel from ICE.
The company announced it had removed ICEBlock from its App Store after authorities notified them about concerning "safety risks" linked to this app and "related programs".
Based on a declaration sent to press agencies, US Attorney General the official had "demanded" the app's withdrawal saying it was "designed to put enforcement personnel at harm".
The app's creator responded that such claims were "patently false" and charged the tech firm of "capitulating to an oppressive government".
Background of the Disputed App
The application is one of numerous applications launched in recent months in answer to expanded immigration crackdown raids across the US.
Detractors - such as the developer of this application - accuse the government of abusing its powers and "bringing fear" to US streets.
The no-cost software works by showing the movements of enforcement agents. It has been acquired more than a million occasions in the United States.
Safety Concerns
However, authorities argued it was being utilized to focus on immigration agents, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicating that the person who assaulted an immigration center in the city in last month - killing two persons - had employed related software to monitor the movements of personnel and their cars.
Through an official declaration, the company commented: "We created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover applications.
"According to intelligence we've received from law enforcement about the security concerns linked to the software, we have removed it and related programs from the digital platform."
Creator's Reaction
But its maker, the developer, disputed it presented a threat.
"The software is no different from public reporting speed traps, which every notable mapping application, even the company's proprietary Maps app," he commented.
"This is constitutionally protected expression under the first amendment of the US Constitution."
Mr Aaron - who has been employed in the tech industry for many years - earlier explained he designed the application out of concern over a surge in enforcement operations.
"I definitely monitored intently during the former government and then I paid attention to the rhetoric during the election race for the second," he stated.
"I started firing on what was going to happen and what I could accomplish to ensure public safety."
Official Response
The executive branch and federal law enforcement had condemned the application after it was released in spring and usage increased.