Apple and Google have been notified by Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Safety over the availability of betting apps to minors on their app stores. Here are the details.
As reported by 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, notifying both companies about the availability of “countless apps” that either offer or facilitate minors’ access to betting.
According to the letters, many of these apps also lack federal authorization and are likely outside the scope of a new law known as ECA Digital, which establishes rules to protect minors in digital environments, including restrictions on access to gambling and other age-gated content.
“The text also mentions the decree that regulates the so-called ECA Digital, according to which “internet application stores and operating systems must prevent the availability of products or services that promote, offer, or enable access to lotteries of any kind, including fixed-odds betting, that are not authorized by the competent authorities.”
Folha de S.Paulo says that among the apps listed in the letters are several alternatives to Fortune Tiger game, a type of slot-style betting game that has surged in popularity across several countries over the past year, including Brazil, where it is widely known as “Jogo do Tigrinho.”
The news adds to a string of negative headlines involving the App Store in recent days. Last week, the platform came under scrutiny after reports highlighted the availability of “nudifying” 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 is also worth noting that Apple recently expanded App Store age assurance tools to several regions, including Brazil. As 9to5Mac covered at the time:
Specifically in Brazil, developers using the Declared Age Range API will be able to obtain a user’s age group when the user (or a parent or guardian, where applicable) agrees to share it. Also specific to the country, any app that has declared it contains loot boxes in its age rating questionnaire will be automatically updated to 18+.
Apple declined to comment to Folha de S.Paulo and 9to5Mac. Google, in a statement to Folha, said it recently reminded developers of their responsibility to comply with ECA Digital requirements, adding that developers set age ratings on Google Play through the IARC system, which reflects Brazil’s Ministry of Justice criteria based on a self-reported questionnaire submitted with each app.
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