Apple mandates age restrictions for AI companions and dating apps on app store

Apple has introduced a new App Store age rating policy, requiring applications featuring dating, romantic interactions, or virtual companion elements to enforce a minimum age of 18. This regulatory shift underscores the tech giant's increased focus on content governance for AI emotional companionship and social applications. The new requirements will become effective on November 16, 2026. Developers must declare in App Store Connect whether their app includes features like dating or location sharing when completing the age rating questionnaire. Apps involving romantic relationships, whether between real users or AI companions, or those containing sexual content, will automatically receive a 18+ rating. While location-sharing apps will have regionally varying ratings—such as A16 in Brazil for such apps and A18 for dating apps—all existing and new submissions must finalize these declarations by January 12, 2027. Apple's move aims to address the challenges posed by the rapid expansion of AI companion technology by strengthening platform oversight for minors.