Apple rolls out age verification tools worldwide to comply with growing web of child safety laws

Apple Launches New Tools to Comply with Age Verification Laws

Apple is taking steps to comply with the increasing number of age verification laws in various countries. The tech giant announced that it will be blocking the downloads of apps rated 18+ in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore, while also introducing other features to adhere to laws in certain U.S. states like Utah and Louisiana.

The company informed developers about these changes on Tuesday, revealing that it is expanding its set of “age assurance” tools, including an updated Declared Age Range API that is now available for beta testing.

These tools enable developers to determine a user’s age range without needing access to their personal information, such as their date of birth. This technical solution has become necessary as governments worldwide implement laws to restrict access to certain apps, like social media platforms, to adults aged 18 and above.

For instance, in Brazil, developers can utilize the Declared Age Range API to ascertain the user’s age category if the user or their parent/guardian opts to share it.

Furthermore, Apple will prevent users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+ until they confirm their adult status. The App Store will automatically conduct the age confirmation process, but developers may still have additional compliance requirements to fulfill.

In Brazil, developers whose games feature loot boxes will see their apps’ age ratings updated to reflect an 18+ audience, in alignment with regulations that deem such mechanisms unsuitable for children.

In the U.S., new users in Utah and Louisiana will soon have their age categories shared with developers’ apps through the Declared Age Range API. Apple has expanded its array of tools surrounding age ratings and permissions to meet its compliance obligations.

Apple’s blog post states, “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 needs to share their age range. The API will also indicate whether parental permission is necessary for significant app updates for a child.”

Last October, Apple worked towards complying with similar age assurance requirements in Texas, although some plans were paused in December due to legal challenges against the state’s law. The company also revamped its age ratings system last year, introducing more detailed age ranges and additional questions for developers submitting apps for review.