Apple Mandates 18+ Ratings for Dating and AI Companion Apps Starting Nov. 16
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Nov 3
Apple Mandates 18+ Ratings for Dating and AI Companion Apps Starting Nov. 16
3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Nov 3
Summary
Nov. 16 marks Apple’s deadline for developers to add new App Store content descriptors, with any app offering dating or romantic relationship features required to carry an 18+ rating.
The policy is aimed at making it harder for minors to access sexual or romantic content, extending Apple’s broader child-safety push that already includes global age-assurance technology and expanded parental controls.
AI companion apps could be hit especially hard because many let users create virtual lovers or partners; top AI companion apps across Apple’s App Store and Google Play had 220 million global downloads as of last summer.
Apple also now requires apps to disclose location-sharing features, while developers in Brazil can seek an official government rating for family location-sharing apps instead of using the A16 label.