Special Agent Joseph Rothrock said: "It's no different than giving a hitman the location of their intended target" - a claim which has been disputed by the developer of one of the most popular apps.

Apple AAPL 0.54% said it was removing from its App Store apps that enable users to track and report sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

“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,” Bondi’s statement read.