Apple rolls out age verification tools worldwide to comply with growing web of child safety laws
Source: TechCrunch
Overview
Apple is launching new tools to comply with the growing number of age‑verification laws in the U.S. and abroad. As part of the changes, Apple will block the downloads of apps rated 18+ in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore, while also rolling out features to meet requirements in the U.S. states of Utah and Louisiana.
Declared Age Range API
Apple announced that its “age assurance” tools are expanding, including an updated Declared Age Range API now available for beta testing. The API allows developers to obtain a user’s age range without accessing personal information such as the exact date of birth.
“New signals are now available through the Declared Age Range API, including whether age‑related regulatory requirements apply to the user and if the user is required to share their age range,” reads the Apple blog post. “The API will also let you know if you need to get a parent or guardian’s permission for significant app updates for a child.”
Developers can use the API to receive the user’s age category when the user—or a parent/guardian—chooses to share it.
Regional Implementations
Brazil, Australia, and Singapore
- Apple will block users in these countries from downloading apps rated 18+ until they confirm they are adults.
- The App Store will perform the age confirmation automatically, though developers may still have separate compliance requirements.
Brazil – Loot‑Box Games
- Games that contain loot boxes, a gambling‑like mechanism, will have their age ratings updated to 18+ in Brazil.
United States Implementation
Utah and Louisiana
- New users in these states will have their age categories shared with developers through the Declared Age Range API.
- Apple has expanded other tools around age ratings and permissions to meet compliance obligations.
Background
- In October, Apple worked to comply with similar age‑assurance requirements in Texas, but placed some plans on hold in December as the state’s law faced legal challenges.
- Last year Apple updated its age‑ratings system with more granular age ranges and added new questions for developers submitting apps for review.
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