Apple to require 18+ ratings for dating and AI companion apps

Apple is adjusting its App Store policies to make it more difficult for minors to use online dating apps or AI companions that engage in sexual or romantic content, the company said in an announcement to developers on Monday. The new rules follow other changes Apple has made to better protect minors, including the global rollout of age assurance technology and more parental controls and child safety features. Starting November 16, developers must include new content descriptors so their apps' age ratings reflect their features.

18+ ratings for dating and romantic features

While most major dating services typically restrict their platforms to adults, Apple's new policy will require all apps offering dating or romantic relationship features to carry an 18+ rating. The change could also affect apps where such functionality is one of many features, not only dedicated dating services.

AI companion apps included

The rule could impact AI companion apps, which are often targeted at younger people. Character.AI, Replika, and other AI apps let users create AI companions, including friends, lovers, boyfriends, girlfriends, and other fantasy characters. xAI last year launched 3D animated AI companions that allowed users to unlock NSFW capabilities. As of last summer, top AI companion apps across the Apple App Store and Google Play had been downloaded 220 million times globally.

Location sharing disclosures

In addition to dating and relationships, apps will need to indicate if they share a user's real-world location with another person or group as part of their functionality. Any app doing so raises privacy concerns, especially if the user was not aware that their location was being shared. In Brazil, apps that provide location-sharing features for families can request an official rating from the government's Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP/Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública), instead of being required to list them with an A16 rating, as local law requires.

Sources: TechCrunch