Apple sets an 18+ rating for dating apps and AI companions

Apple will require all apps with dating or romantic relationship features to carry an 18+ rating. Starting November 16, developers must also provide new content descriptors so age ratings more accurately reflect what an app can do. The rules could affect AI companions too, including apps where virtual friends, partners and other characters are just one of several features.

Apple raises the age threshold for dating apps and AI companions

New age-rating requirements

The company announced the changes in a notice to developers on Monday. They add to measures to protect minors: Apple is already rolling out age-verification technology worldwide and expanding parental controls and safety features for children.

Major dating services are generally already restricted to adults. But Apple’s new rule applies to all apps with dating or romantic relationship features: they will need an 18+ rating.

AI companions and location data

The changes could be especially significant for apps with AI companions. Character.AI, Replika and other services let users create virtual friends, romantic partners, boyfriends and girlfriends, as well as fantasy characters. These apps often target younger audiences.

Last year, xAI also launched animated 3D AI companions that gave users access to features with adult content. By last summer, companion apps had been downloaded a combined 220 million times worldwide from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Apple is also introducing an additional descriptor for apps that share a user’s real-time location with another person or group. This feature can pose privacy risks, especially if the user does not know their location data is being shared.

Exception for apps in Brazil

In Brazil, apps that let family members share their locations can request an official rating from the country’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security, MJSP (Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública). In that case, they will not need to display the A16 rating required under local law.

Dataist’s take: The new requirements tie age labels not only to an app’s subject matter but also to its specific features, from romantic interactions to location sharing. For AI companions, this could mean a higher age threshold even when they are just one part of a broader service.