The tech giant pulls US immigration officer monitoring applications
The company has pulled apps that permitted users to identify observations of officers from the immigration enforcement agency.
The company stated it had eliminated ICEBlock from its application marketplace after authorities notified them about potential "security concerns" linked to this software and "similar apps".
Based on a declaration sent to press agencies, the Attorney General Pam Bondi had "requested" the app's elimination saying it was "created to put immigration agents at harm".
The app's creator responded that such assertions were "completely untrue" and alleged the company of "capitulating to an oppressive government".
History of the Disputed App
This software is one of several apps launched this year in response to expanded immigration crackdown operations across the US.
Opponents - including the developer of this application - charge the administration of abusing its powers and "bringing anxiety" to US streets.
The no-cost app functions by showing the movements of ICE personnel. It has been installed in excess of a one million instances in the United States.
Security Issues
Nevertheless, authorities contended it was being utilized to target enforcement personnel, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation stating that the suspect who attacked an immigration center in Dallas in last month - killing two persons - had employed related software to follow the movements of personnel and their vehicles.
In a statement, the company stated: "We developed the application marketplace to be a safe and trusted environment to find applications.
"According to intelligence we've received from authorities about the security concerns linked to this application, we have withdrawn it and comparable applications from the digital platform."
Creator's Reaction
But its developer, the developer, refuted it presented a threat.
"This application is similar to crowd sourcing speed traps, which all major mapping application, even their internal navigation software," he stated.
"This represents constitutionally protected expression under the constitutional protection of the US Constitution."
Joshua Aaron - who has had experience in the technology sector for many years - before mentioned he developed the application out of concern over a surge in immigration raids.
"I certainly monitored very carefully during the previous administration and then I heard the rhetoric during the political contest for the present," he said.
"I started thinking about what was likely to occur and what I could accomplish to protect individuals."
Administration Position
The White House and FBI had condemned the application after it was released in April and downloads grew.