Apple is stepping up its compliance strategy as age-verification laws multiply across the globe. The company has announced new App Store restrictions and developer tools aimed at ensuring apps meet stricter regulatory standards in markets including Brazil, Australia, Singapore and parts of the United States.
Blocking 18+ App Downloads
Starting now, users in Brazil, Australia and Singapore will be blocked from downloading apps rated 18+ unless they confirm they are adults. Age confirmation will be handled directly by the App Store, though Apple notes that developers may still have to meet separate local compliance obligations.
In Brazil specifically, games that feature loot boxes — widely viewed by regulators as gambling-like mechanics — will see their age ratings updated to 18+.
Expanded Age Assurance Tools
Apple has also expanded its “age assurance” toolkit for developers, introducing updates to its Declared Age Range API, currently available in beta. The system allows apps to access a user’s age category without revealing personal details such as date of birth.
The goal is to provide developers with a privacy-preserving compliance mechanism as governments introduce tighter controls on social media and other adult-oriented apps. In Brazil, for example, developers can request a user’s age category if the user or their parent or guardian agrees to share it.
New signals within the API will indicate whether regulatory requirements apply to a particular user and whether parental consent is needed for significant app updates involving children.
US State-Level Compliance
In the US, Apple is aligning with state-specific laws in Utah and Louisiana. New users in those states will soon have their age categories shared with developers via the API, helping apps determine access restrictions without directly collecting sensitive personal data.
The move builds on Apple’s previous efforts to comply with legislation in Texas, though parts of that law remain tied up in court challenges.
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