In Brazil, Apple has become embroiled in a legal battle after three organizations focused on children’s rights asked the court to enforce stricter verification measures for gambling-related apps in the App Store.
The basis of the lawsuit is Brazil’s Estatuto Digital da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA Digital). If the injunction is granted, the company will have 10 days to comply, failing which it will have to pay fines of €85,000 daily.
The lawsuit claims that kids use Apple’s App Store to install gambling apps without undergoing any verification procedures to suit the ECA Digital law recently introduced in the country.
The groups behind the lawsuit are Anced, Educafro Brasil, and Centro Santo Dias de Direitos Humanos.
The complainants have also asked Apple to order blocking all newly created applications regarding casinos in Brazil, as the new legislation mandates necessary verification requirements before offering gambling services.
Márlon Reis, legal representative of Anced, said:
At no time was proof of age, documentary verification or facial recognition required to access the content.
Despite the fact that the app is eligible for users aged only 18 or older, the complainants claim that no process of verification of age and identity is required to download the app.
The company claims that it is adjusting its services to be compliant with new regulations and claims that a serious age verification tools are currently being tested.
