Apple and Google have been warned by Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security about the presence of betting apps for minors in their app stores. Here are the details.
Brazil warns Apple about betting apps available to minors on App Store
As reported Folha de S. Paulo (via MacMagazine), the National Secretariat for Digital Rights (Sedigi) and the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) sent letters to Google and Apple on Friday, warning both companies of the existence of “countless apps” that offer or facilitate access to gambling by minors.
According to the letters, many of these programs lack federal authorization and are likely outside the scope of a new law known as ECA Digital, which sets rules to protect minors in digital environments, including restrictions on access to gambling and other age-related content.
The text also mentions a decree regulating the so-called ECA Digital system, according to which “internet applications and operating systems must prevent the presence of products or services that promote, offer or provide access to any type of lotteries, including fixed-odds betting, that are not authorized by the authorities.”
Folha de S. Paulo says that among the programs listed in the letters are several alternatives to Fortune Tiger, a type of slot-based betting game that has gained popularity in several countries in the past year, including Brazil, known as Jogo do Tigrinho.
The news adds to a string of negative headlines about the App Store in recent days. Last week, the platform came under scrutiny after it highlighted the presence of “snapping” apps as well as a fake crypto wallet that allegedly stole more than $10 million. In each case, Apple moved to remove the offending apps.
It’s also worth noting that Apple recently expanded its App Store age verification tools to several regions, including Brazil. as Covers 9-5Mac time:
Specifically in Brazil, developers using the Declared Age Range API will be able to obtain a user’s age group if the user (or parent or guardian, as applicable) agrees to share it. Also, any country-specific app that declares loot boxes in the age rating request will automatically be updated for 18+.
Apple declined to comment Folha de S. Paulo and 9-5Mac. Google, in his statement Sheetrecently reminded developers of their responsibility to comply with ECA Digital requirements, adding that developers assign age ratings through the IARC system, which reflects Brazil’s Ministry of Justice criteria, based on a self-report questionnaire provided with each app on Google Play.
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