"As of February 24, 2026, users in Australia, Brazil and Singapore won't be able to download apps rated 18+ unless their age is confirmed through "reasonable methods." Apple noted that any apps distributed in Brazil that are declared to contain loot boxes will be updated to 18+. While the App Store can perform those checks automatically, "developers may have separate obligations to independently confirm that their users are adults.""
"In Utah as of May 6, 2026 and Louisiana on July 1, 2026, "age categories will be shared with the developer's app when requested through the Declared Age Range API." That API will also provide "new signals," like whether age-related regulatory requirements apply to the user and if the user must share their age range."
"Under Utah's new law, users must be over 18 to make a new account with an app store, while underage uses will need to link their account to a parent's in order to get permission to use certain apps. Louisiana and Texas also passed similar laws and California plans to enact age-based rules for app stores in 2027."
Apple has introduced age verification mechanisms to prevent users under 18 from downloading apps rated 18+ in Australia, Brazil, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana, effective on staggered dates beginning February 24, 2026. The company provides developers with the Declared Age Range API to help meet age assurance obligations under upcoming regulations. Apps containing loot boxes in Brazil will be automatically rated 18+. Developers may need to independently verify user ages through reasonable methods. In Utah and Louisiana, the API will share age categories with developers and provide signals about regulatory requirements and parental permission needs. These regulations align with similar laws in Texas and California's planned 2027 implementation, designed to protect children from online harms.
#age-verification #app-store-regulations #child-protection #parental-controls #digital-age-assurance
Read at Engadget
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