According to Techcrunch, within the framework of these changes, Apple will block the download of 18+-ranked applications in Brazil, Australia and Singapore, and deploy other features to comply with the law in Utah and Louisiana in the US.
On February 24, Apple announced to developers that they are expanding the "age assurance" toolkit, including the updated Age Range API toolkit that is being beta tested.
These tools allow application developers to determine the age of users without accessing their personal information, such as their date of birth. The need for such a technical solution arose as more and more governments around the world enacted laws to block or restrict certain applications, such as social networks, only for adults aged 18 and over.
For example, in Brazil, developers can use the API Tool Scope Age Declaration to get the age group of the user, if the user or their parent/guardian chooses to share that information.
In addition, from February 25, Apple will block users in Australia, Brazil and Singapore from downloading 18+-ranked applications until they confirm they are adults. In this case, the App Store will automatically perform age confirmation, but Apple notes that developers may still have to meet other separate compliance requirements.
In addition, developers of games containing random gift boxes - a gambling-like mechanism that allows players to spend money to have a chance to randomly receive prizes in the game and legislators argue that should not be for children - will see the age rating of the app updated to reflect subjects aged 18 and over in Brazil.
In the US, new users in Utah and Louisiana will also soon be able to share age information with developer applications through the Declarated Age Range API. The company said it has expanded other tools related to age ratings and privacy to meet compliance obligations.
Currently, the Declarated Age Range API has provided new signals, including whether age-related regulatory requirements apply to users and whether users are required to share their age range. This API will also tell you whether you need to ask for permission from parents or guardians for important app updates for children," Apple shared.
