Original title: The Romance Business of AI Companionship — Apple Sets an 18+ Threshold
Author: Enjoy Overseas
Source: Enjoy Overseas Developer Service Platform
Cover image source | pexels
“Dating” inside AI companionship has now been written into Apple’s 18+ rating requirement.
Starting November 16, the age rating questionnaire in App Store Connect will add two new items: “Dating and Relationships” and “Location Sharing.” Among them, virtual companions that engage users in romantic or sexual content interactions fall under the definition of “Dating and Relationships,” and apps offering such features carry a minimum age rating of 18+.
Romantic interaction enters the 18+ rating scope
“Dating and Relationships” covers both dating or relationship connections between real people and virtual companions that interact with users around romantic or sexual content. This definition is drawn by feature and interaction content, and does not depend on whether AI is used.
Here “sexual content or romantic content” are parallel conditions. Even if a virtual companion offers no sexual content, as long as it engages users in romantic content interactions it falls within this declaration item.
When filling in the age rating questionnaire, developers must declare whether the app contains the relevant features, and Apple then generates the age rating accordingly.
The rating is displayed on the App Store, and apps may also receive different regional ratings based on local requirements.
A virtual companion engaging users in romantic or sexual content interactions counts as “Dating and Relationships,” with a minimum rating of 18+
The 18+ rating also affects actual download decisions. Apple’s existing parental controls allow parents to set an app rating ceiling, and apps above that ceiling are subject to download restrictions. On systems that support app exceptions, after “Ask to Buy” is enabled, a child can request an exception for a single app, which a parent can approve or decline. If an approved app later raises its age rating, parental approval may be required again.
Age ratings and content review apply separately. Apple’s App Review Guidelines still prohibit explicit sexual description or pornographic content, and an 18+ rating does not replace the corresponding review requirements.
Effective November 16, with declarations required for all apps
November 16 is the effective date for the new items. From then on, submitting an app update or modifying the age rating questionnaire requires providing these two declarations.
By January 12, 2027 at the latest, all apps must complete these two declarations, regardless of whether the product contains the corresponding features.
By January 12, 2027 at the latest, all apps must complete the two declarations; Brazil additionally requires A16 and A18
Location sharing carries separate regional requirements
The “Location Sharing” item added in the same batch refers to sharing a real-world location with another person or a group. In some regions, this feature may not change an app’s minimum age rating.
Brazil has separate requirements: location sharing maps to A16, and “Dating and Relationships” maps to A18.
Developers who believe their app qualifies for a lower rating can apply to Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security for an official rating. Apple’s example is a location sharing feature designed specifically for parents and children. Once verified, the official rating obtained will be displayed on the Brazilian App Store.
