Apple updates App Store age verification mechanism, "Game Loot" rating raised to 18+

To comply with increasingly strict global online child protection regulations, Apple announced that starting February 24, 2026, it will strictly restrict users in markets such as Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading 18+ apps unless they pass adult identity verification. At the same time, it will assist app developers in meeting the latest legal standards in regions like the United States while safeguarding user privacy.

New Age Verification System for App Store Launches

As governments worldwide place greater emphasis on online safety for minors, Apple is implementing more stringent access controls on the App Store. From February 24, 2026, onward, users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore who cannot reasonably prove they are adults will be automatically blocked and prevented from downloading apps rated “18+” (18 years and older). This automated mechanism aims to ensure minors cannot access age-inappropriate social media or other sensitive content.

Brazil Raises “Loot Box” Games to 18+ Rating

Regarding common in-game “loot boxes” (paid random reward mechanisms), which resemble gambling, Apple has adjusted regulations to comply with Brazil’s laws prohibiting children from accessing gambling games. Any app containing loot box mechanisms will have its rating forcibly updated to 18+ in the Brazil App Store.

US Releases Updated “Age Range Declaration API”

In addition to overseas markets, the US is also implementing new child protection laws. Regulations in Utah and Louisiana will take effect on May 6 and July 1, 2026, respectively. To address this, Apple has released a beta version of the updated “Declared Age Range API”:

Privacy-Protecting Age Sharing: This tool allows developers to obtain users’ “age range” categories without requiring their exact date of birth.

Parental Consent Mechanism: For significant feature updates, developers must notify parents via the API and obtain re-authorization.

Scope of Application: These new regulations mainly apply to new Apple accounts created after 2026. (Note: Apple previously implemented a similar mechanism in Texas last October but paused enforcement in December due to legal challenges.)

Compliance to Avoid Heavy Fines

If Apple fails to comply with age verification requirements, developers could face hefty fines (e.g., up to $1,000 per violation in Utah; up to $10,000 in Louisiana). As a platform operator, Apple also faces potential violations fines of millions of dollars in markets like Australia and Singapore.

In response to various regulatory demands, Apple is currently employing technical solutions such as the “Declared Age Range API” to balance “legal compliance” with “protecting user privacy.”

This article on Apple updating App Store age verification mechanisms and raising the “loot box” rating to 18+ first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.