Apple has begun blocking users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+ without age verification. The company implemented this change on February 24, 2026, using its App Store age confirmation process that relies on "reasonable methods" to verify adult users. Developers may also need to use Apple's Declared Age Range API to independently confirm user ages.

In Brazil, the new regulations have triggered automatic age rating adjustments for apps containing loot boxes, which now receive an 18+ rating in the Brazilian storefront. This change stems from Brazil's strict new laws preventing apps from offering loot boxes to children. Developers can access age group information when users or parents opt to share it, with Apple providing new signals about the age assurance method used.

Apple faces significant financial penalties for non-compliance in these regions, with potential fines reaching millions of dollars. The company has opposed platform-level age verification legislation due to privacy concerns, particularly regarding methods like ID submission that would require collecting sensitive user data. While Apple fights these requirements, developers must comply with varying regulations across different jurisdictions, including upcoming rules in Utah and Louisiana that will take effect in 2026.