Apple has made a major change to its App Store policies. Age ratings will now be required for AI apps that facilitate dating and romantic conversations. Find out which apps will be affected.
Apple App Store Edge Rating
Apple New Policy: To keep children and younger users away from such apps, Apple has changed its App Store rules. Now the company will keep a closer eye on dating and AI chatbot apps. Apps that allow users to have romantic conversations with virtual partners will only be available to those at least 18 years of age. App developers will also have to disclose whether their app shares the user's location with another person or group. This will allow users to know in advance if their personal information and location are being shared. So let's find out when Apple's new rules will come into effect.
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According to Apple, starting November 16, 2026, new questions and content descriptors will be added to App Store Connect for developers. These will require app developers to indicate whether their apps include features like dating, relationships, or romantic interactions with AI. The company has given developers until January 12, 2027, to update this information. This information will then be used to determine an app's age rating. The minimum age for apps with dating and relationship features will be 18 years old.
Information will also have to be given on location sharing.
Apple has added new privacy rules along with age restrictions. Developers will now be required to disclose whether their apps share a user's physical location with another individual or group. This is intended to inform users that their location may be accessible to others. However, not every app that shares location will receive an 18+ rating. The age limit will depend on country-specific regulations.
Which apps will be affected by this decision of Apple?
Apple's decision won't just impact general dating apps. AI companion apps like Character.AI and Replika will also fall under the new rules. On these platforms, users can interact with virtual characters, including friends, fictional characters, and romantic partners. According to the new rules, if a virtual companion engages in romantic or sexual interactions with the user, that app will also be required to have an 18+ rating.
