Key Highlights:

• Apple is rolling out new age-verification tools to comply with child safety laws worldwide.
• New compliance updates also affect users and developers in Utah and Louisiana in the US.
• Downloads of 18+ rated apps are blocked in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore without age confirmation.
• Developers can now use Apple’s Declared Age Range API to verify age without accessing personal data.

Apple is rolling out new age-verification tools worldwide to comply with a growing web of child safety laws. The changes affect how users download age-restricted apps and how developers access age data. The update also reshapes Apple’s App Store policies across several regions.

The move reflects rising global pressure on tech platforms to restrict minors’ access to adult content, especially social media and gambling-like apps.

What exactly is Apple changing?

Apple informed developers that it is expanding its “age assurance” toolkit. The rollout includes an updated Declared Age Range API, which is now available for beta testing.

The API allows developers to request a user’s age category instead of exact personal details. This means apps can verify whether a user is a child, teenager, or adult without accessing sensitive data such as date of birth.

The shift responds to new and proposed laws worldwide that require platforms to block or restrict apps meant only for adults.

Why are governments pushing age verification now?

Lawmakers across regions argue that children should not access adult-only digital spaces. These include social media platforms, gambling-style games, and apps with explicit content.

Several governments now require app makers and platforms to prove they are preventing underage access. As a result, companies like Apple must offer technical solutions that balance privacy and compliance.

Age verification has become a regulatory priority, not a feature choice.

What happens in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore?

Starting today, users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore cannot download apps rated 18+ unless they confirm they are adults.

Apple will handle this age confirmation directly through the App Store. Users must verify their age before downloads proceed. Developers may still need to meet additional local compliance requirements.

This change applies across categories, including social media, entertainment, and gaming apps with adult ratings.

How does Brazil handle age checks differently?

Brazil offers a more flexible option for developers. Apps can use the Declared Age Range API to request a user’s age category if the user or their parent or guardian chooses to share it.

This setup supports parental involvement while limiting personal data exposure. Apple positions this as a privacy-first compliance model aligned with Brazil’s child protection laws.

Why are loot boxes now rated 18+ in Brazil?

In Brazil, games that include loot boxes will now receive an 18+ rating.

Loot boxes allow players to spend money for random rewards. Regulators view this as similar to gambling. Lawmakers argue children should not access such mechanics.

As a result, developers with loot box systems must comply with adult-only restrictions in Brazil.

What’s changing for users in Utah and Louisiana?

In the United States, Apple is expanding age-sharing tools for new users in Utah and Louisiana.

Apps in these states will receive users’ age categories through the Declared Age Range API. The update helps developers meet local legal requirements around child protection and parental consent.

Apple also confirmed updates to age ratings and permission systems tied to these laws.

What new signals does Apple give developers?

Apple says developers will now receive additional regulatory signals through the API. These include:

• Whether age-related laws apply to a user
• Whether the user must share their age range
• Whether parental or guardian permission is required for major app updates

This helps developers adapt their apps automatically based on legal obligations.

How does this relate to earlier US legal battles?

Apple previously began complying with similar age-assurance rules in Texas. However, some plans were paused in December after the law faced legal challenges in court.

Despite that pause, Apple continued updating its global age rating system. Last year, it introduced more detailed age brackets and added new compliance questions for app submissions.

What does this mean for users and developers?

For users, app downloads may now require extra confirmation steps. For parents, Apple offers stronger controls and clearer permissions.

For developers, compliance becomes more standardized but also more complex. Apps must now account for regional rules, ratings, and parental consent flows.

Apple’s approach focuses on automation and privacy rather than collecting more personal data.

The bigger picture

Apple’s latest move shows how platform governance is shifting under regulatory pressure. Age verification is no longer optional. It is becoming a core infrastructure feature.

As child safety laws expand globally, Apple’s system may serve as a template for how app stores manage access without sacrificing user privacy.

Apple is likely to continue refining these tools as new laws emerge.