Apple has deep-sixed an app that tracks the movements of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents – apparently bowing to government pressure.

The tech giant confirmed it had removed ICEBlock and other similar software from its App Store at the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The app is designed to tell users if there are ICE agents in their area, which the Justice Department said could increase the risk of assaults on government personnel.

Last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the app after reports suggested the software had been used by Joshua Jahn, the man suspected of opening fire at an ICE center in Dallas, Texas. One detainee was killed in the incident while two others were wounded. Jahn then turned the gun on himself.

Bondi also told Fox Business: “ICEBlock is designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs, and violence against law enforcement is an intolerable red line that cannot be crossed.”

Apple told NBC News that it “created the App Store to be a safe and trusted place to discover apps.” It added: “Based on information we’ve received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it and similar apps from the App Store.”

The move comes a month after leaders of US tech giants met with President Donald Trump. The “extraordinary gathering” followed the launch of the government’s AI Action Plan, designed to fuel “unprecedented growth in infrastructure and innovation as the US leads this new frontier of scientific breakthrough.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook told Trump: “I want to thank you for setting the tone such that we could make a major [$600 billion] investment in the United States and have some key manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, here. I think that says a lot about your focus and your leadership and your focus on innovation. I also want to thank you for helping American companies around the world. This is a very key, key thing, and I really enjoy working with your Administration.” ®