Apple Removes Secret From Brazil App Store Citing Constitutional Conflicts

Apple has acted quickly upon Brazilian judge's ruling to remove the Secret app from its App Store in wake of violation of the country's constitutional laws.

Apple, the renowned smartphone maker, has successfully pulled down the controversial anonymous thought-sharing app, Secret, from its App Store in Brazil after a judge order Google and the Cupertino tech giant to abide by the country's constitutional laws. The ruling came with a 10 days window for the app to be gone from their respective app stores or a $9,000 fine per day was in place.

Apple was quick enough to act on the ruling but Google hasn't responded yet. Clearly the modest fine is not as threatening to a giant like Google, which is merely a drop in the bucket for the company. The Brazilian judge told Google and Apple not only to remove the app from their stores but also to remotely delete the app from users' devices in the country, GigaOm reported earlier this week. The stringent action against the Secret app is in wake of the country's constitutional law against anonymity.

It means anyone can share their thoughts openly by any means but are forbidden to hide their true identity, which is exactly what the app does.

Secret app isn't available on Windows platform but the ruling orders Microsoft to remove the clone app, Cryptic, from its Windows Phone Store. The same fine applies to the Redmond-software giant if it fails to comply with the court's ruling at the end of 10-day deadline.

Google's delayed response towards the court's ruling is justified by the requirement of an official request from the Brazilian court. According to Venture Beat, the initial ruling is just a preliminary injunction and requires a different request to be filed in an American court before these tech giants acts promptly. This process may take time but will ensure the app is taken down immediately.

Apple has a long history of removing apps that do not comply with its norms. According to PCMag's slideshow, the Cupertino based tech giant removed 500px from its App Store in January after it found nude photographs within the app. Other apps axed by Apple include "Shake That Body," "iBoobs," "Wobble Boobs," "Tubes," "Strip Simon," "Puff!," and "MyVibe."