Apple Enforces Global Age-Verification System, Targets 18+ Apps in Major Expansion

Tech News, Cupertino, 25 February, 2026: Apple has officially activated a sweeping new “Age Assurance” system across the App Store, fundamentally changing how users access adult content and how developers comply with a growing web of international child safety laws.

In a significant shift, users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore can no longer download any app with an “18+” rating unless Apple’s system confirms their adult status through “reasonable methods.”

• Automatic Verification: Apple will attempt to verify adulthood automatically using existing account data and payment history. 

• The “Loot Box” Rule: In Brazil, the impact is particularly sharp for gamers; any app identifying itself as having “loot boxes” is now automatically reclassified as 18+, effectively barring minors from these titles entirely.

  US Compliance: Utah and Louisiana Next in Line

The rollout also provides the technical foundation for upcoming laws in Utah (effective May 6, 2026) and Louisiana (effective July 1, 2026).

• For new Apple Accounts created in these states, the platform will now share “Age Categories” (Child, Teen, or Adult) with developers via a specialized API.

• Parental Vetos: A new “Significant Change API” under the PermissionKit framework will allow developers to trigger a system-level prompt if an app update adds features that require fresh parental consent.

  Privacy at the Core

Apple is positioning this as a privacy-preserving alternative to government-mandated digital IDs. By using the Declared Age Range API, developers receive only an “age signal”—such as “Adult” or “Under 13″—rather than the user’s actual birthdate or a scan of their physical ID.

• Adults: You may see a one-time prompt to confirm your age when attempting to download mature content in regulated regions.

• Parents: You will have granular control through Family Sharing to decide if an app can request your child’s age range.

• Developers: Failure to integrate these tools can result in hefty fines, reaching up to $10,000 per violation in states like Louisiana.