Days before the region of Catalonia plans to hold a disputed independence vote, a Spanish court has ordered Google to delete an app intended to boost turnout.

Catalonia’s High Court ordered the tech company to stop offering an app being used to help people cast votes in the election, saying it violated a court order seeking to suspend the vote. Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, had sent a tweet earlier this week to his 350,000 followers encouraging them to use the tool.

“Do you want to know where you have to go to vote? Download the app update every day to receive updates”, Mr Puigdemont said.

Google said in a statement that “We only remove content from our platforms to comply with a valid court order or when it violates our policies”.

The order represented another attempt by Spain’s government to block a planned independence vote that it deems to be illegal. Separatists in the territory, which has a distinct language and culture, have long agitated for higher levels of autonomy.

Critics of the takedown order flooded the app’s comments section, decrying what they called an effort by the Spanish government to suppress a legitimate democratic movement.

Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Demonstrators block a Guardia Civil vehicle as they try to leave the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Demonstrators react as they try to stop the car carrying Xavier Puig, a senior at the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office, after he was arrested by Guardia Civil officers in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures A demonstrator reacts as he tries with others to stop the car carrying Xavier Puig, a senior at the Department of External Affairs, Institutional Relations and Transparency of the Catalan Government office, after he was arrested by Guardia Civil officers in Barcelona AP/Emilio Morenatti Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Spokeswoman of the Catalan pro-independence anticapitalist party "Candidatura d'Unitat Popular - CUP" (Popular Unity Candidacy), Ana Gabriel, talks to the media in Barcelona Josep Lago/AFP Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures Republican Left of Catalonia party's (ERC) Member of Parliament Joan Tarda (C) attends a demonstration outside the regional Economy Ministry in Catalonia during a police search for documents connected with the organisation of the Catalan independence referendum, in Barcelona EPA/Alejandro Garcia Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures A man holds pro-referendum poster next to a Spanish Civil Guard who stands in front of the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government in Barcelona. The operation comes amid mounting tensions as Catalan leaders press ahead with preparations for an independence referendum on October 1 despite Madrid's ban and a court ruling deeming it illegal Josep Lago/AFP Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures People hold placards reading "Democracy" as they protest in front of the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government in Barcelona AFP Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures A crowd of protesters gather outside the Catalan region's economy ministry after junior economy minister Josep Maria Jove was arrested by Spanish police during a raid on several government offices, in Barcelona Reuters/Albert Gea Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures People holding 'Esteladas' (Catalan pro-independence flags) attend a protest near the Economy headquarters of Catalonia's regional government Lluis Gene/AFP Catalonia referendum protests – in pictures People demonstrate on a Spanish Civil Guard Police car outside the Catalan Vice-President and Economy office as police officers holds a searching operation inside David Ramos/Getty Images

“Disgraceful that it is not available in Spain. Basic restriction on freedom of speech”, a commenter named Carlos Ubeda wrote. Multiple people weighed in with the phrase “Shame on Google”.

Leaders in Catalonia have continued to defy Madrid and press ahead with preparations for the balloting.