Mr Mussolini, who came to power in 1922 and quickly aligned himself with Nazi Germany, became a notable Italian dictator and changed the country’s history forever. Developing the application, Luigi Marino expressed that he in no way endorsed the historic moves, but simply aimed to bring Italian history out of the libraries and onto phones. However, widespread criticism from a number of groups was quick to rise after it was reported that the software had become the quickest downloaded iPhone application in the country, even surpassing Avatar’s mobile phone game.

Explaining that he had received a number of legal threats, Mr Marino said that he had been forced to remove the application. Of particular concern was the source of the photos used for the programme, which the film institute raised issue with. Whilst Apple declined to make a comment on the matter, the film institute expressed that the application was an aberration and that the clips of Mussolini were in no way providing any educational purpose. Meanwhile Mr Marino said that he hoped to reintroduce the application when the current legal threat was cleared up.

Coming to power in 1922, Benito Mussolini quickly allied himself with Nazi Germany and brought in 1938 introduced anti-Semitic race laws. The application created by 25 year old Mr Marino, which over 6,000 individuals have downloaded for 79 euro cents a time, has been heavily criticised by groups affected by the Mussolini period. Former Jewish community head in Rome, Tullia Zevi said the app showed “the slide towards legitimising fascism and the rehabilitation of Mussolini”, whilst Armando Cossutta, the Italian Association of Partisans deputy head expressed it was “an unacceptable attempt to exalt a filthy past.”

Meanwhile however, granddaughter of the dictator Alessandra Mussolini expressed that “Whether you like it or not, my grandfather’s speeches are part of history.” Her statement was backed up by Naples creator Mr Marino who said that he did not make a bid to apologise for the fascist acts, merely to share information which could just as easily be found in a library. “I express total solidarity with its victims,” he said adding that he hoped not to see praising of Fascism posted on the app comments.