Apple is changing its App Store rules so that apps offering dating or romantic relationship features, including AI companions with sexual or romantic content, must carry an 18+ age rating, TechCrunch reports. From 16 November developers will have to add new content descriptors so that ratings reflect what their apps can do.
The move follows other child safety measures from Apple, including the global rollout of age assurance technology and extra parental controls. TechCrunch says the rule could have the biggest effect on AI companion services such as Character.AI and Replika, which are popular with younger users, as well as apps where companions are one feature among many, such as those launched by xAI last year. Apps will also have to declare if they share a user's real-world location with other people.
Source: TechCrunch