Apple is restricting dating apps and romanceable chatbots to over 18s

is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews.

Apple will soon start asking developers to provide more details about their apps to enforce new App Store age rating requirements for dating and location-sharing features. The upcoming content descriptors announced on Monday will require developers to declare if their apps allow users to share their real-world location with others, or include features that enable dating, relationship, or sexual behaviour between real people or virtual companions.

Apps that include dating and relationships features will receive a minimum age rating of 18, while those with location sharing will see an impact to their minimum age rating in some regions, depending on local regulations. These updates will be included in the App Store Connect age rating questionnaire starting November 16th, and all apps will be required to complete the new declarations by January 12th, 2027.

Apple already has an 18-plus rating category for the App Store, but this has largely applied to apps that feature gambling, violence, references to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, and nudity or sexual content. Most dating platforms are also adult-only, but Apple extending its ratings is an effort to prevent minors from slipping through the cracks. These expanding restrictions also aim to keep them away from both AI chatbots that support sexual or romantic interactions, and virtual “girlfriend/boyfriend” simulators that could pose mental health risks.

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