Apple Inc. is rolling out new age-verification measures as governments tighten child safety and digital content regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
The company announced a fresh set of tools designed to help app developers confirm users’ age ranges without collecting sensitive personal information such as full birth dates. As part of the update, Apple will block downloads of apps rated 18+ in Brazil, Australia and Singapore unless users verify that they are adults.
The move is intended to align with national laws that restrict minors from accessing certain types of digital content, including adult-focused apps and some social media platforms.
The changes also extend to parts of the United States. In Utah and Louisiana, new users will soon have their age category automatically shared with developers’ apps through Apple’s updated systems, enabling companies to comply with emerging state-level requirements.
At the centre of the update is Apple’s enhanced “Declared Age Range API,” now available for beta testing. The tool allows developers to receive a general classification — such as whether a user is a child, teen or adult — without revealing precise details like a date of birth.
Apple said the system is designed to balance privacy with compliance. Rather than transmitting exact personal data, the API provides only an age bracket, limiting the amount of information shared between the company and third-party developers.
Under the new framework, users — or in some cases their parents or guardians — can choose to share their age category. In Brazil, for example, developers may access a user’s age range through the API if consent is granted.
In Australia, Brazil and Singapore, Apple will automatically prevent users from downloading apps rated 18+ until they confirm they meet the age requirement. The verification process will be handled directly through the App Store. Apple noted that while it manages the confirmation mechanism for downloads, developers may still be responsible for meeting additional local compliance obligations.
The announcement comes as policymakers worldwide push technology companies to strengthen protections for minors online, even as privacy advocates warn against expanding the collection and storage of sensitive personal data.
