Apple is announcing new tools to help you comply with the growing number of age verification laws in the United States and abroad. As part of the changes, Apple will block downloads of 18+ apps in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore, as well as roll out other features to comply with U.S. laws in Utah and Louisiana.
The company informed developers on Tuesday that it is expanding its suite of “age guarantee” tools, including an updated declared age range API available in beta testing.
These tools allow developers to obtain a user’s age range without accessing personal information such as the user’s date of birth. The need for such technological solutions comes as more governments around the world are enacting laws to block or restrict certain apps, such as social media, that can only be used by adults over the age of 18.
For example, in Brazil, developers can use the Declared Age Range API to retrieve a user’s age category if the user or their parent or guardian chooses to share it.
Additionally, starting today, Apple will block users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps designated for those 18 and older until they verify they are an adult. Although the App Store automatically performs age verification in this case, Apple notes that there may still be other compliance requirements that developers must meet.
Additionally, developers of games that include loot boxes (a gambling-like mechanic where players can spend money for a random chance to win in-game rewards, which lawmakers believe should not be available to children) will have their apps’ age restrictions updated to specifically reflect Brazil’s 18+ audience.
In the US, new users in Utah and Louisiana will also soon be able to share their age categories with developer apps through the Declared Age Range API. The company said it has expanded other age assessment and permitting tools 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 you and whether you must share your age range.” “The API will also let you know if you need to get parent or guardian permission for important updates to apps for kids.”
Last October, Apple sought to comply with similar age guarantee requirements in Texas, but delayed some of its plans in December due to court challenges over the state’s law. The company also updated its age rating system last year, creating more granular age ranges and adding a variety of new questions for developers submitting apps to Apple for review.
