Engadget has reached out to Apple for a response to these findings and will provide updates as they become available.

A recent report by the Heat Initiative and ParentsTogether Action has uncovered significant flaws in Apple's age rating system for apps in the App Store, particularly regarding the safety of children's apps.

The investigation identified 200 apps rated for children that collectively have been downloaded over 550 million times, highlighting their extensive reach among young users.

These apps span five categories: chat, beauty, diet and weight loss, internet access, and gaming, specifically targeting those rated for ages 4+, 9+, or 12+.

Among the concerning findings, 25 chat apps were identified that connect children with strangers, raising serious safety concerns, including one app reportedly frequented by individuals with predatory intentions.

Additionally, 75 beauty and body-related apps were found to promote harmful behaviors, such as extreme dieting and starvation-calorie goals.

The report also highlighted that 52 gaming apps contained inappropriate content, including violent themes and dares suggesting inappropriate actions for children.

Alarmingly, many of these apps were able to circumvent school and home internet filters while still being rated as suitable for young children.

The report suggests that Apple's profit motives may contribute to the proliferation of these risky apps, as increased downloads result in higher commissions for the company.

These findings come at a time when the App Store is under increased scrutiny, particularly following a recent €1.95 billion fine imposed by the EU for anti-competitive practices.

Critics argue that Apple relies too heavily on developers' self-reported data for app ratings instead of implementing an independent third-party rating system, such as the ESRB.

While Apple employs both automated and manual checks to ensure app safety, the company acknowledges that monitoring nearly 2 million apps is a challenging and imperfect process.