Apple has updated its App Store guidelines to mandate an 18+ rating for all applications offering dating or romantic relationship features, a change effective from 16 November. This policy extends to AI companion apps that engage in sexual or romantic content, requiring developers to add specific content descriptors to their metadata. The move follows the global rollout of age assurance technology and additional parental controls designed to protect minors. While most major dating services already restrict access to adults, this rule forces apps with mixed functionality, such as Character.AI and Replika, to clearly mark their romantic capabilities. xAI’s 3D animated companions, which previously allowed users to unlock NSFW features, fall under this new classification. Additionally, apps sharing real-world user locations with others must now explicitly indicate this functionality to address privacy concerns. In Brazil, family location-sharing apps may instead request a rating from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security rather than the standard A16 designation.
The requirement for explicit content descriptors shifts the burden of age verification onto developers rather than relying solely on user self-reporting. Clearer metadata helps the App Store’s automated systems identify restricted content more accurately during review. The location-sharing rule forces transparency about data collection practices that could expose users to physical risks. These changes aim to reduce accidental exposure to adult content while clarifying privacy implications for users.
* Developers must update app metadata by 16 November
* Location-sharing features require explicit disclosure
* Brazil allows alternative government ratings for family apps
