Home · Technology · Nov 3 archive
Apple Mandates 18+ Age Ratings for Dating Apps and AI Romantic Companions
Confirmed
In Short: Apple today announced new age rating requirements for apps on the App Store, targeting those with location-sharing features, dating functionalities, and AI romantic companions.
Apple today announced new age rating requirements for apps on the App Store, targeting those with location-sharing features, dating functionalities, and AI romantic companions. Starting November 16, 2026, developers must declare if their apps offer location sharing or dating features.
All apps with dating and relationship features, whether involving human interactions or AI chatbots, will now require an 18+ age rating. This change aims to comply with increasing global regulations and ensure child safety.
Apple emphasized the importance of accurate age ratings to reflect the content of apps properly.
AppleInsider reported that the company will start enforcing these new content descriptors in App Store Connect, which will include questions about dating and location-sharing features. Developers will be required to provide these details when submitting app updates or changing their age rating questionnaire.
The new rules also apply to shared location features, which will receive ratings based on local laws. For instance, Brazil requires an A16 rating for shared location features, but developers can request a lower rating from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security if they believe their app qualifies.
AppleInsider noted that the company began enforcing self-reporting of age-rating details in 2025 to stay ahead of more specific age gating regulations. This move aligns with Apple's broader focus on child safety features for the OS 27 cycle.
Marcus Mendes, a Brazilian tech podcaster and journalist, has been covering Apple news since the mid-2000s and expanded his focus to the wider tech industry, hosting a daily podcast for seven years.
John Ternus, Apple's vice president of hardware engineering, has stated that the company wants to offer agentic AI tools but only once users fully understand the associated risks.
Apple is also introducing new operating system updates, including iOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and others, as part of the developer beta process.
The new age rating requirements are part of Apple's ongoing efforts to make the App Store more secure and user-friendly, particularly for younger users who might encounter inappropriate content.
AppleInsider reported that the company will start asking developers more questions about their apps to ensure that age ratings accurately reflect their content.
Developers will need to declare if their app offers shared location or features of romantic interest, and apps with dating and relationship features will receive a minimum age rating of 18+.
What this adds
These expanding restrictions also aim to keep apps away from both AI chatbots that support sexual or romantic interactions and virtual 'girlfriend/boyfriend' simulators that could pose mental health risks.
Background
These expanding restrictions also aim to keep apps away from both AI chatbots that support sexual or romantic interactions and virtual 'girlfriend/boyfriend' simulators that could pose mental health risks.
What's confirmed
- Apple today announced new age rating requirements coming to the App Store, covering apps with location-sharing features, as well as dating and relationship features.
- Finally, Apple said developers must provide these declarations when submitting an app update or changing their age rating questionnaire, with all apps required to complete them by January 12, 2027.
- However, developers can request a lower official rating from Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security if they believe their apps qualify, such as those designed to let parents and children share their locations.
- All apps with dating and relationship features, whether interacting with other humans or AI chatbots, will get a rating of 18+.
- For example, Brazil requires an A16 rating for shared location features.
- Apps with dating and relationship features will receive a minimum age rating of 18+, Apple said.
- Apple will soon start asking developers to provide more details about their apps to enforce new App Store age rating requirements for dating and location-sharing features.
- The age-rating questionnaire is adding two descriptors: Dating and Relationships, which covers those interactions, and Shared Location, for apps that let users share their real-world location with another person or group.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.