Apple just announced the launch of new tools to help developers comply with age verification laws in the US and other countries. The decision is a response to the growing number of legislative initiatives restricting minors' access to social networks and other 18+ services.
Specifically, the company will restrict downloads of 18+ rated apps in Brazil, Australia and Singapore, and will take additional measures to comply with the requirements of the states of Utah and Louisiana. Age verification will be performed automatically through the App Store.
The company has announced to developers an expanded set of tools, including an updated Declared Age API, which is now available in beta. This interface allows applications to obtain information about a user's age group without accessing personal data such as date of birth.
Some of the changes will affect games with loot boxes – mechanisms that award random in-game rewards, which lawmakers often equate with gambling elements. In particular, in Brazil, the age rating of such applications will be revised according to the 18+ category. Additionally, the new systems will signal that parental consent is required to update children's apps.
Previously, major social networks all recorded a clear decline in audience numbers after the law on the minimum age of users in Australia took effect. In early December, these platforms restricted access to approximately 4.7 million accounts of children under 16 years old.
