Posted on 02/27/2026 7:10:05 AM PST by yesthatjallen
Apple is launching new tools to comply with the growing number of age-verification laws both in the U.S. and abroad. As part of the changes, Apple will block the downloads of apps rated 18+ in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore, while also rolling out other features to comply with laws in Utah and Louisiana in the U.S.
The company informed developers on Tuesday that it’s expanding its set of “age assurance” tools, including an updated Declared Age Range API now available for beta testing.
These tools allow developers to obtain a user’s age range without gaining access to the user’s personal information, like their date of birth. The need for a technical solution like this came about as more governments around the world have created laws to block or restrict certain apps like social media that can only be used by adults 18 and up.
In Brazil, for example, developers can use the Declared Age Range API to obtain the user’s age category, if the user or their parent or guardian chooses to share it.
In addition, Apple will block users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+, starting today, until they confirm they are adults. In this case, the App Store will perform the age confirmation automatically, but Apple notes that developers may still have separate compliance requirements they need to meet.
Also, developers whose games contain loot boxes — a gambling-like mechanism that lets players spend money for a random chance at in-game rewards and that lawmakers believe shouldn’t be available to kids — will see their apps’ age ratings updated to reflect an 18+ audience in Brazil, specifically.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at techcrunch.com ...
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“In addition, Apple will block users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+, starting today, until they confirm they are adults.”
I guess VPN companies are pushing this type of legislation. It’s for the kids after all...
Kids don’t use VPN’s.
Typical of Apple to do the bidding of their CCP owners. Age verification is all about implementing ESG laws on every individual. Nothing to do with protecting kiddies.
If you use a device that requires anything other than anonymity you are volunteering for ESG. A password is fine, but not an ID for you when not accessing that particular site.
“Kids don’t use VPN’s.”
I’m sure that’s true.
Up next - government id registration to use the internet.
The article didn’t say HOW tech companies are expected to discern age without users submitting documentation. Answer recent history questions in a set amount of time? Cut a finger off, stick the nub on a scanner so they can count the growth rings?
Midnight BSD has already told California to pound sand over their law requiring agev verification, which will become effective in 2027, saying their license won’t apply to users in that state.
Then look at FreeDOS, which is impossible to adapt to comply with the California law.
The first step towards your digital shackles. CBDC is next and then they have you, all of you. Oh yeah, it’s for your safety. It’s for the children. The very same people who are knee-deep in “pizza”.
Let’s do this another way. How about a federal law that says minors may not possess a smart phone that does not identify them as a minor. Computers in a residence with minors must self certify as a minor-accessible device. A yone providing unrestricted devices to a minor is guilty of a crime unless valid exception such as a real emergency.
Will voter registration have an age verification tool?
Currently when Age 16 and 17 get a drivers license they are registered to vote. Of course, non-citizens and felons are also registered when they get a drivers license. They do not vote. But the vote harvester finds them a ripe source of votes.
Apple is not owned by the CCP. And cite the age verification tools rolled out by Google for its Android [ advertising ] system.
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