August 5, 2026, 1:55 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
A weather app, an animal as an icon, or a seemingly ordinary game. However, in Brazil, some apps in the Apple App Store were allegedly something entirely different. Child protection organizations accuse Apple of not adequately protecting minors from gambling offers. Now, a lawsuit demands more than 50 million euros in damages.
The focus is on apps that apparently deliberately concealed their true function. Users initially saw harmless applications. However, according to the allegations, casino and betting platforms could be hidden behind them.
Age checks apparently easy to bypass
The app “Casino Roulette: Roulettist” is frequently mentioned. Although it was only approved for adults, according to the lawsuit, it could be started without extensive identity verification. After entering, virtual game chips could be purchased.
For the plaintiffs, the case highlights a fundamental problem. They demand that Apple strictly controls every gambling app under iOS and only allows new offerings after effective age verification.
The apps behaved differently depending on the country
The developers’ approach is particularly noteworthy. An investigation by “9to5Mac” found 62 applications that operated inconspicuously outside Brazil. The hidden gambling functions were reportedly only visible with a Brazilian internet connection.
This allowed the apps to apparently remain undetected for a long time. Some of them even had an age rating for all users, which made the situation particularly problematic from the perspective of youth protection advocates.
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AI apparently played a role in the disguise
Many of the suspicious apps appeared almost identical at first glance. Instead of flashy casino graphics, developers often used animal motifs or other neutral symbols. The developer accounts were also notable because they often published only a single application.
Additionally, there were indications that AI might have been used in creating such apps. According to research, a public GitHub directory contained instructions on how to create applications with hidden functions and pass review processes.
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Apple removes apps and works on new reviews
Apple has since removed the initially identified apps from the store. According to the company, additional applications and developer accounts have also been suspended. The insights gained are intended to help detect similar disguise attempts more quickly in the future.
At the same time, Apple is testing new age verification procedures in Brazil. How exactly these will work is not yet known. However, the issue of youth protection in the App Store is likely far from resolved. The final decision now rests with a court.