App Store: Several US states require proof of age

Apple’s App Store only with proof of age: This is now pending in two American states. In Texas, anyone who then creates a new Apple account must confirm whether they are 18 years old or older. However, this tiger is still toothless, at least for the time being: It is not intended that proof in the form of an ID card or a driver’s license is required.

The question about the date of birth

Since developers in addition to Apple must also carry out the check, at least theoretically, the company has come up with an alternative: If the new user is a minor, he or she may only be allowed to do so within the framework of the Family Sharing – they must be part of such a group. With the help of the so-called Declared Age Range API, Apple can also transmit the age range to app providers without giving the actual date of birth.

Apple plans to roll out the new feature in the coming months, writes the company. It is not possible to block an app for Texas – Apple always operates its app stores on a country-specific basis. “In addition, parents can revoke consent to the continued use of an app by minors. Further details, including additional technical documentation, will be released later this fall,” Apple explains to its developers.

California Laws

In California, the rules are a little different. There, children will still have the opportunity to download apps without their parents’ consent. Here, too, no ID has to be presented. Instead, the legislator hopes that parents will set up the account for the children themselves when they put a new device into operation. Here, too, an “age gating” applies. There will be four age categories throughout the App Store: Under 13, 13 to 16, 16 to 18 and, as before, adult.

Here, Apple probably only has to make sure that parents have the opportunity to define the age of the children. This can then be passed on to developers via the Declared Age Range API. The new conditions for Texas and California apply to all operators of App Store-like offers, including Google with its Play Store.