Singapore Audit Finds Harmful Apps in Major App Stores

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) identified 65 objectionable apps and 24 incorrectly age-rated apps during its first audit of major online app stores. Detailed in the inaugural Online Safety Assessment Report 2026, the audit reviewed 7,000 apps across the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Microsoft Store between April and December 2025.

Harmful content included AI-powered nudification tools for non-consensual explicit images, as well as games featuring murder, gambling, and drug use. The IMDA found that some apps containing sexual content or violent material were assigned ratings lower than 18+ and were only corrected after agency notification. While baseline safety measures were generally present, the report highlighted technical loopholes in the Huawei and Microsoft stores that allowed minors to bypass restrictions. Additionally, Google and Samsung failed to notify users within six months after downloaded apps were removed.

All five stores have since removed the flagged apps and committed to improving their processes. Parallel to these findings, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information engaged 2,000 parents and youth, finding support for age-appropriate safeguards over total bans. Consequently, the government plans to table legislation in early 2027 to mandate age checks and introduce default safeguards, including daily time limits and restrictions on infinite scroll and direct messaging from strangers.