Apple Mandates 18+ Age Rating for Dating Apps and Romantic AI Companions on the App Store

Apple has announced that dating applications and artificial intelligence (AI) services offering romantic or sexual virtual relationships will now be restricted to adults on the App Store. As part of a broader initiative to strengthen protections for minor users, Apple is imposing a minimum age classification of 18+ on these specific types of applications.

Key Details of the New Policy

• Effective Date: The new rules will take effect on November 16, 2026.
• Scope: The policy covers both platforms that connect people in romantic contexts and applications featuring virtual companions capable of engaging in romantic or sexual interactions with users. This explicitly includes AI apps offering "virtual boyfriend" or "virtual girlfriend" experiences.
• Exclusions: The regulation does not apply indiscriminately to all chatbots or general AI assistants.

Implementation for Developers

To enforce these changes, Apple will introduce two new categories in the age classification questionnaire within App Store Connect, its developer platform:

1. Location Sharing: Whether the app shares real-time location with another person or group.
2. Dating and Relationship Features: Whether the app includes dating or relationship functionalities, including those involving virtual companions.

Developers will be required to provide this information when submitting app updates or making any changes to their classification questionnaires. All affected applications must complete these declarations by January 12, 2027.

Context and Implications

This decision comes amid growing concerns regarding minors' exposure to digital interactions and AI-generated content. It also marks a significant shift in how major technology platforms assess the risks associated with new features integrated into mobile applications, signaling a more nuanced approach to content moderation and user safety.