A concerning new investigation has revealed that Apple's App Store contains hundreds of apps inappropriately rated as safe for children, raising serious questions about the platform's content moderation practices.
According to a joint report by Parents Together Action and Heat Initiative, researchers discovered 200 potentially harmful apps rated suitable for children aged 12 and under during a 24-hour review of 800 applications. Some of these apps were even marked as appropriate for children as young as four years old.
The investigation uncovered various concerning app categories accessible to young users, including:
- AI face rating and beauty filter apps
- AI girlfriend simulators
- Anonymous chat platforms
- Drug-dealing simulation games
- Fasting and weight loss trackers
- Violent gaming content
- VPN services that could bypass parental controls
The report highlighted particular concerns about anonymous chat applications, citing research linking such platforms to increased cyberbullying, depression, and self-harm among young users.
Of special concern was the finding that nearly all weight loss apps and unfiltered internet access tools reviewed carried a 4+ age rating, making them freely accessible to very young children.
The researchers attributed part of the problem to financial incentives, noting that both Apple and app developers benefit from wider distribution and increased downloads. They pointed out the absence of third-party child development experts in the app rating process.
As a solution, the report's authors recommended implementing an independent review system for age ratings, similar to the Motion Picture Association's role in the film industry.
This revelation comes at a challenging time for Apple's App Store, which recently faced a €1.8 billion fine in the European Union over anti-competitive practices related to music streaming services.
Apple has not yet responded to the findings of this investigation.