They’ll apply to apps that permit AI companion relationships, as nicely.
Apple will begin asking builders extra questions on their apps to assist the corporate make sure that their age scores precisely replicate their content material. Particularly, it is going to add new content material descriptor inquiries to App Retailer Join, the corporate’s web-based administration platform for builders. One of many new descriptors would require them to declare whether or not their app shares the real-world location of the person with one other individual or group. The opposite one would require them to reveal whether or not their app has options, which allow relationship “between actual individuals and/or a digital companion that engages a person in sexual or romantic content material.”
All apps declared to have relationship and relationship content material will get a minimal age score of 18+. Which means they won’t seem within the App Retailer for youths below 18 if their mother and father or guardians have set app content material restrictions on their gadget. If underage customers who can see them on the shop attempt to buy or obtain them, they are going to be required to supply Apple proof that they are grownup. As for apps that share location, they won’t be affected by age scores in most areas. Some nations do have guidelines for apps like that, nonetheless, like Brazil that requires apps that share places to have an age score of 16-years-old and up.
The brand new content material descriptors will present up within the administration platform on November 16. Builders must reply each inquiries within the age score questionnaire when submitting a brand new app or making modifications to an current one. By January 12, 2027, they should have already answered each questions for all their functions.
