The Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security has notified Apple and Google regarding the presence of betting apps aimed at children in their app stores. Here are the details.

Brazil Notified Apple About Betting Apps Accessible to Children in the App Store

Folha de S.Paulo (via MacMagazine) reported that the National Secretary of Digital Rights (Sedigi) and the National Consumer Secretary (Senacon) sent a letter to Google and Apple on Friday, informing both companies about the "countless apps" accessible to children.

According to the letters, many of these apps lack federal approval and may be exempt from the new law called ECA Digital, which sets rules to protect children in digital environments. This law imposes restrictions on access to gambling and other age-restricted content.

The text states, referencing the regulation known as ECA Digital, that 'internet app stores and operating systems must prevent the offering or access to any lottery, fixed-odds betting products or services that have not been approved by the competent authorities.'

Folha de S.Paulo notes that among the apps mentioned in the letter, there are alternatives to the slot-style betting game known as Fortune Tiger, which has gained popularity in many countries, including Brazil, in the past year.

This news has contributed to the rise of negative headlines related to the App Store in recent days. Last week, the platform came under scrutiny due to the presence of "nudifying" apps, as well as a fake crypto wallet that allegedly stole over $10 million. In any case, Apple has taken action to remove problematic apps.

It is also worth noting that Apple has recently expanded its App Store age verification tools to several regions, including Brazil. At that time, according to a report by 9to5Mac:

Specifically in Brazil, developers will be able to obtain the user's age group if the user (or a parent or guardian when applicable) agrees to share it. Additionally, specifically for this country, any app that declares it contains loot box content in the age rating survey will automatically be updated to 18+.

Apple declined to comment to Folha de S.Paulo and 9to5Mac. Google, on the other hand, stated in a comment to Folha that it reminds developers to comply with ECA Digital requirements and added that developers determine their age ratings on Google Play through the IARC system, which reflects the criteria of the Brazilian Ministry of Justice based on a self-reporting survey provided with each app.