Nudification, murder- and gambling-themed apps flagged in IMDA’s first app store audit

In Singapore’s first audit of online app stores, authorities uncovered objectionable apps featuring 65 items deemed inappropriate. These included AI-generated nudification tools, murder and gambling-themed games with payouts, as well as apps lacking proper age ratings. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) discovered that 24 apps were not labeled 18+ as required, containing sexually suggestive material, crime references, drug use, and firearms in a school setting.

All 65 objectionable apps have been removed and the 24 incorrectly labeled ones have had their age ratings corrected after notification to Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Microsoft Store. The audit, conducted from April to December 2025, praised stores for having baseline safety measures, such as age checks and user verification through government IDs or credit card details, face scans, and behavioral analysis.

However, there is room for improvement in removing harmful content and ensuring accurate age ratings. Some Huawei users on certain AppGallery versions could circumvent age checks, while Microsoft users could download 18+ apps due to loopholes. The authority noted that all app stores should improve their notification processes for removed apps, as Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store failed to notify users within six months of removal.

The IMDA is also rolling out online safety lessons to pre-school curriculums, with plans to expand to 3,000 K1 and K2 pupils by 2027. Meanwhile, consultations with parents and youths suggested that children aged six and below should not use social media, while those aged 7-12 could access it with proper safeguards. Proposed legislation in early 2027 may include mandatory age checks, a daily time limit, restrictions on addictive features, and other safeguards to protect teens from addiction and dangerous interactions.