IMDA audits 7,000 apps, flags 65 harmful and 24 wrongly age-rated ones
Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority performed mystery shopper testing on over 7,000 apps. This process targeted five designated app stores, including those from Apple, Google, Huawei, Microsoft, and Samsung. The effort follows the introduction of the App Distribution Services Code last March. The authority identified 65 harmful apps and 24 that had incorrect age ratings. The resulting report intends to help users and parents understand online safety risks. It also provides information on available safety measures.
As part of its first online safety assessment since the introduction of the App Distribution Services (ADS) Code in March last year, Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) conducted mystery shopper testing of more than 7,000 apps across five designated App Distribution Services (D-ADSs).The five D-ADSs, commonly referred to as app stores, are the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery, Microsoft Store, and Samsung Galaxy Store.In a media release issued on Saturday (Oct 24), the authority said its online safety assessment report aims to help Singapore users, particularly parents, make informed decisions about online safety risks and the safety measures available on different app stores.The report is also intended to strengthen accountability among app store operators and encourage them to keep users safe online.