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Brazil wants Apple and Google to remotely wipe Secret from all iOS and Android devices

Published Aug 20th, 2014 6:35PM EDT
Brazil: Secret App Ban
Image: The New York Times

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Secret is a popular iOS and Android social networking app that lets users chat anonymously, but authorities in Brazil aren’t too fond of it. That’s actually an understatement, as a Brazilian prosecutor wants Apple and Google not only to remove the app for their respective app stores for the region, but also to remotely wipe it from the devices on which it’s already installed on in Brazil, Business Insider reports.

However, a ruling on the matter has not passed yet. Assuming the court rules against Apple and Google and admits the prosecutor’s fine request, the companies will have to each pay almost $9,000 for each day the app remains available in the App Store and Google Play Store. The Windows Phone version, called Cryptic, is also targeted by the prosecutor.

Apparently Secret isn’t only used for sharing secrets in the country, but also for anonymous bullying. The case started after a marketing consultant discovered on Secret naked pictures of him, with a message claiming he is HIV positive.

So far, Apple has never used its kill switch weapon, with which it can remotely erase content from a handset, but Google did so back in 2010, when it removed two apps from a security researcher that “misrepresented their purpose in order to encourage user downloads.”

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.