Brazil bans Secret over anonymous bullying, demands Apple and Google delete it from users' phones

A judge in Brazil has ordered Apple and other hosts to remove anonymous app Secret, apparently over fears of anonymous bullying.

According to a story on Estadao (h/t Robert Cooper), which I've clumsily translated using Google Translate...

The prosecutor Marcelo Zenkner opened civil action asking that the app stores from Google, Apple and Microsoft become unavailable the anonymous messaging app Secret to Brazilians. For the plaintiff Marcelo Zenkner, the prosecutor of the Holy Spirit, "the Brazilian Constitution does not allow anonymous. Therefore, this application has to be uprooted. "

Zenkner claimed to have been contacted by victims of their state who claimed they were being harmed by publications made anonymously in the application. The prosecutor quoted a student from school for her daughter that would have left to go to school by rumors spread via Secret by colleagues.

"The person is suffering 'bullying' without knowing who is attacking. It's like being in a dark room picking up, "he says. The Brazilian prosecutor also criticizes Secret for insisting that bullying reports be submitted in English, making it harder for foreign users to complain.

The court order demands that Apple, Google et al delete or disable apps already installed on users' phones -- a step which, while likely technically possible, is unlikely to be taken. According to Estadao, the daily fine for noncompliance is $20,000.

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Update: Secret's David Byttow writes to say that the Brazilian law won't be officially in force until it has been confirmed by the judge.