Apple removes Secret from App Store in Brazil

Secret, the app that lets you to anonymously share thoughts with others, is no longer available in Apple's App Store in Brazil.

Secret was leveled with a Brazilian court ruling this week that forced Apple to remove the app from its store within 10 days. Apple on Thursday complied with the ruling, taking down the app from its Brazil-based App Store, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to CNET.

The issue for Secret has been its anonymity. In Brazil, the constitution strictly prohibits free speech when it's made anonymously. Secret users in Brazil were taking to the app to express themselves on a wide range of topics, including politics, and that apparently violated the country's laws.

As Apple's guidelines indicate, apps allowed into the App Store must adhere to both the company's rules and local law. The same is true in countries all over the world, not just Brazil.

Whether the application will be brought back to the App Store in Brazil is unknown at this point, though it seems unlikely, given the country's laws on anonymous free speech.

Secret's app is still available elsewhere around the world in both the App Store and the Google Play store.

CNET has contacted Secret for comment. We will update this story when we have more information.

(Via 9to5Mac)