In order to comply with the increasing number of age-verification rules in the United States and other countries, Apple is introducing new capabilities. In order to comply with legislation in Utah and Louisiana in the United States, Apple will implement additional measures in addition to blocking the downloading of apps classified 18+ in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore.
The business told developers on Tuesday that it is adding more “age assurance” tools to its arsenal, such as an upgraded Declared Age Range API that is currently open for beta testing.
With the help of these tools, developers can determine a user’s age range without obtaining the user’s personal data, such as birthdate.This kind of technical solution became necessary when many governments throughout the world passed legislation restricting or blocking some apps, such as social media, that are only available to adults 18 years of age and older.
For instance, if the user or their parent or guardian choose to share it, developers in Brazil can use the Declared Age Range API to find out the user’s age category.
Additionally, starting today, Apple will prevent customers in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps with an 18+ rating unless they can prove they are adults.The App Store will automatically verify the age in this scenario, although Apple points out that developers might still need to fulfill additional compliance criteria.
Additionally, developers will have their applications’ age ratings changed to reflect an 18+ audience in Brazil, notably, if their games include loot boxes, a gambling-like feature that allows players to pay money for a random chance at in-game goodies that lawmakers say should not be offered to kids.
Through the Declared Age Range API, new users in Utah and Louisiana will soon be able to share their age categories with the apps created by their developers.According to the corporation, in order to fulfill its compliance requirements, it has increased its other capabilities related to age ratings and permits.
The Apple blog post states, “The Declared Age Range API now offers new signals, such as whether the user is subject to agerelated regulatory requirements and if the user is required to declare their age range.”The API will also notify you if major app updates for a child require authorization from a parent or guardian.
Apple put some of its efforts on hold in December because the state’s law is being challenged in court. In October of last year, Apple sought to comply with similar ageassurance standards in Texas.Last year, it also included a number of additional questions for developers submitting apps to Apple for review, as well as upgraded its age ratings system with more detailed age ranges than previously.
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