Apple has announced a series of enhancements aimed at improving child safety and user privacy. These updates will streamline the Child Account setup process while introducing stricter age verification and app categorization measures.
Additionally, Apple is working to minimize the amount of personal data collected by developers during age verification. The company will introduce additional age ratings, providing more precise categorization for apps designed for younger users.
Apple has introduced the Declared Age Range API, which will allow developers to provide age-appropriate content while preserving user privacy. Instead of sharing exact birth dates, parents can now specify an age range for their children. This feature ensures compliance with privacy regulations while enabling developers to offer tailored experiences.
Apple has clarified that only a "limited subset" of developers will be permitted to collect government-issued IDs or other personal data to comply with regional legal requirements. This change is expected to significantly reduce the exposure of sensitive data for younger users.
Setting up Child Accounts will become more seamless with Apple’s new updates. For children under 13, Apple will enable child-friendly safety settings by default if parents do not complete the setup process. Additionally, parents will now be able to provide App Store consent using Face ID or Touch ID, instead of entering credit card details.
Apple is making it easier for parents to manage their child’s access to content through an updated age rating system. Currently, apps on the App Store are categorized under 4+, 9+, 12+, and 17+ age ratings. Later this year, developers will be able to set more specific restrictions with new ratings of 13+, 16+, and 18+. This refined system will give parents more flexibility in determining the appropriateness of apps for their children.
Parents will also have the ability to adjust age ranges for their children to grant or restrict access to apps and features. This move aligns with Apple's broader efforts to offer more robust parental controls.
To promote transparency, Apple will require developers to explicitly disclose whether their apps include the following:
User-generated content
Advertisements
Parental control options
These disclosures could be displayed on the App Store listing, allowing users to make informed decisions before downloading an app. Apple has also stated that the implementation of these features will accommodate regional regulatory differences.
With growing concerns over data privacy and child safety, Apple’s new policies reinforce its commitment to user security. By minimizing personal data collection and enhancing parental controls, Apple is taking significant steps to protect young users. These improvements will not only benefit families but also set a new standard for age verification and privacy-first technology in the mobile ecosystem.
Apple’s latest enhancements to Child Accounts, parental controls, and age assurance features reflect the company’s strong stance on privacy and digital safety. The introduction of the Declared Age Range API marks a major shift towards minimizing sensitive data collection, while new age rating categories will provide more control over app accessibility.
By mandating transparency from developers regarding ads, parental controls, and user-generated content, Apple ensures a safer and more informed experience for parents and children alike. These changes, combined with streamlined setup processes and biometric-based parental approvals, highlight Apple’s ongoing efforts to refine and enhance user privacy in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.