Apple today announced a new age rating policy for the App Store, explicitly requiring apps that involve dating, romantic relationships, and virtual companion features to set a minimum age limit of 18. This move signals that the tech giant is further tightening compliance oversight of AI emotional companionship and social apps.

According to Apple's official developer update, the new age rating requirements will officially take effect on November 16, 2026. At that point, when developers fill out the age rating questionnaire in App Store Connect, they must explicitly declare whether the app includes "location sharing" or "dating and romantic relationships" features.

Among these, apps that allow romantic relationships between real users or virtual AI companions, or that involve romantic or sexual content, will all be assigned a minimum age rating of 18+. Apps that include real-time location sharing will have ratings that vary by regional regulations. For example, Brazilian regulations already require such apps to have an A16 rating and dating apps to have an A18 rating. All existing and newly submitted App Store apps must complete the relevant declarations and updates by January 12, 2027.

As generative AI technology becomes more widespread, the explosive growth of AI companion apps has created unprecedented challenges for protecting minors. By setting a mandatory age threshold for virtual emotional interactions through its platform review mechanism, Apple not only strengthens App Store content governance standards but also reflects the tech industry's further tightening of digital safety governance for minors under compliance frameworks.