Apple Introduces New Age Rules For Apps Sharing Your Location, Dating Features (AI-generated) Under these new requirements, developers will have to give additional information about their apps as they fill the age-rating questionnaire on Apple’s App Store Connect platform. As per the tech giant, this move will help it to assign appropriate age ratings to apps based on the features they offer. Apple has introduced a separate category for apps that come with dating and relationship-related features. This includes services that help people connect with potential partners as well as virtual companions that engage users in romantic or sexual conversations. Explaining the new changes, Apple said, “Features that enable dating or relationship connections between real people and or a virtual companion that engages a user in sexual or romantic content." The tech firm has also clarified that apps falling under this category will receive a minimum age rating of 18+. The updated age-rating will also cover apps that allow users to share their real-world location with other people or groups. Apple has described this category as “Sharing of real-world location with another person or group.” However, the company clarified that the inclusion of location-sharing features will not necessarily result in a higher age rating everywhere. As per Apple, "Apps that include Shared Location may not have an impact on their minimum age rating in some regions." Brazil is an exception because of its local regulations. Apps with location-sharing features must carry an A16 rating in the country, while those offering dating and relationship features require an A18 rating. Apple has also said that developers can approach Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security to request a lower official age rating if they believe their applications qualify. For instance, apps specifically designed to help parents and children share their locations could be considered for a lower rating. Govind Choudhary is the Chief Copy Editor for Tech at Times Now with over five years of experience in the media industry. He covers consumer technolog... View More