Apple has axed the anonymous social media app Secret from its online stores in Brazil after a judge ruled that the app violated the country's constitution.
Freedom of speech is part of Brazilian law; however, the judge found that Secret's anonymity went against Article 5, Section IV of the country's constitution, which says that "the expression of thought is free, and anonymity is forbidden."
The Brazilian judge ruled that Google and Apple must remove the Secret app from their app stores in the country--and additionally delete the app from the smartphones of users who have already installed it, PCMag.com reported.
Apple has deleted Secret from its app store in Brazil, but the company hasn't yet tackled the process of taking the app off user devices.
The ruling, which was handed down a few days ago, stipulated that the two companies must take down the app within 10 days.
Microsoft has also been ordered to remove Cryptic, which is essentially the Windows equivalent of Secret, from its app store in Brazil.
VentureBeat reported that a number of people have complained about bullying on the Secret app in the last few weeks.
According to Apple guidelines, apps in the App Store must comply with both the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's rules and the laws of the country where they are installed, CNET noted.
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