Apple tightens age verification in the App Store

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Apple is adjusting its age verification systems in the App Store. This is due to new legal requirements in several countries and US states that impose stricter rules for apps rated 18+. Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and the US states of Utah and Louisiana are affected. Some of the changes are effective immediately, with more to follow in the coming months. At the same time, Apple is providing developers with enhanced tools to technically implement these legal requirements.

The pressure on platform operators regarding youth protection and age verification has been growing for years. Governments are demanding clearer age verification, especially for apps with sensitive or adult content.

Apple is responding with a combination of system-level verification in the App Store and new interfaces for developers. At the heart of this is the updated "Declared Age Range API," which is currently available as a beta version for testing.

New download restrictions for 18+ apps

Stricter rules are now in effect in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore. Users there can no longer download apps rated for ages 18 and up unless they have been verified as adults through appropriate methods.

Apple automatically performs this age verification in the App Store. This means the platform conducts the verification itself before a download is possible.

Nevertheless, developers may still need to additionally verify that their users are of legal age. Apple provides updated tools for precisely this purpose.

The "Declared Age Range API" in beta phase

Apple has published an update on the available tools in its developer blog . The "Declared Age Range API" has been expanded and is now available as a beta version for testing.

This interface allows developers to retrieve users' age ranges, provided the necessary consent has been given. This consent must be given by the user themselves or – if relevant – by a parent or guardian.

The API does not provide exact birth dates, but rather age categories. It is intended to help correctly implement legal requirements and to enable or restrict functions depending on age.

Special features in Brazil

In Brazil, there are additional regulations. Developers using the API for the specified age group can retrieve a user's age group if consent for disclosure has been given.

Another important change concerns loot boxes. Any app that indicated in its age rating questionnaire that it contains loot boxes will be automatically reclassified as 18+ in Brazil. This automatic adjustment directly affects download restrictions in the App Store.

This means that affected apps can only be downloaded by verified adult users.

New regulations in Utah and Louisiana

New regulations are also coming into effect in the US. In Utah, the requirements apply to new Apple accounts from May 6th. In Louisiana, they will take effect on July 1st.

For these two states, Apple provides developers with the relevant age categories upon request via the "Declared Age Range API." This allows them to determine when age-related legal requirements apply.

The API also helps identify when parental consent is required for certain features or important updates. Apple has enhanced several existing tools to make it easier for developers to comply with regulations in these states.

The purpose of the changes

With these new measures, Apple aims to ensure compliance with legal requirements in different regions. The combination of automatic age verification in the App Store and enhanced developer tools is intended to establish clear lines of responsibility.

Apple positions itself as a technical intermediary between legislation and app development. Developers receive structured age ratings, while Apple handles the basic verification in the store.

Apple expands age verification and developer tools

Apple is significantly tightening age verification in the App Store. In Australia, Brazil, and Singapore, apps rated 18+ are no longer accessible without verified age verification. Additional restrictions will take effect in Utah and Louisiana on specific dates.

With the expanded "Declared Age Range API" in beta and other adapted tools, Apple is helping developers comply with regional laws. These changes mark another step toward stricter age verification and stronger regulation of digital content in the App Store. (Image: Apple)