Apple is one of the latest tech companies to limit users’ access to content unless they are verified to be an adult via “reasonable methods”.
As confirmed via a recent update on Apple’s developer site, the company will block Australian users from downloading software from the App Store rated 18+ if they are not “confirmed to be adults through reasonable methods”. This restriction, which took effect on 24 February, also applies to users in Brazil and Singapore.
Apple did not elaborate on the definition of “reasonable methods” in the update beyond explaining that “the App Store will perform this confirmation automatically”.
As part of Australia’s youth social media ban, various platforms relied on age estimation technology, which uses a range of factors to determine a user’s age without requesting any further information. However, as found by a report into age assurance methods, age estimation has a “margin of error”.
Apple’s update to developers also said that “developers may have separate obligations to independently confirm that their users are adults”. App developers can access what is called the “Declared Age Range API”, which lets users provide an age signal without giving up sensitive data, like birthdates.
Apple’s latest move follows a recent flurry of developments focused on digital family safety. Tools, such as parental controls, are largely underused in Australia, with much of the current crackdown on platform access driven by legislative requirements. Other regions are also driving change, including Brazil banning the sale of loot boxes to children.
GadgetGuy has contacted Apple for comment.
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