Apple Requires 18+ App Store Ratings for Dating and AI Companion Apps
Summary
Apple requires every app with dating or romantic features to carry an 18+ App Store rating, a policy aimed partly at AI companion apps such as Character.AI and Replika. Starting November 16, developers must add content descriptors so ratings reflect app features. Apple also wants apps to disclose real-world location sharing with other users.
Key Points
- Apple tells developers about the policy on Monday, TechCrunch reports.
- Sarah Perez reports top AI companion apps drew 220 million global downloads by last summer.
- Apple says Brazil family location-sharing apps can request an official rating from the Ministry of Justice.