Apple’s iOS Update Adds UK Age Verification
▼ Summary
– Millions of UK iPhone users must verify they are over 18 to access certain Apple services due to government pressure for better child protection.
– The UK is the first European market where Apple is implementing these age controls for downloading adult-rated apps from its App Store.
– Following a software update, unverified adults will face web browsing restrictions and safety checks on messages and FaceTime for explicit content.
– This move follows broader UK age verification rules under the Online Safety Act, though app stores themselves are not covered by this law.
– The UK regulator Ofcom welcomed the decision, while the government continues to push, but not mandate, smartphone makers to block explicit images.
A new iOS update now requires millions of iPhone users in the United Kingdom to confirm they are adults before accessing certain Apple services. This move comes after sustained pressure from UK authorities on technology companies to strengthen online child protection measures. The country appears to be the first in Europe where Apple is implementing these specific age verification controls, aimed at restricting downloads of adult-rated apps from the App Store to verified users only.
After installing the recent software update, adult users who do not complete the verification process will encounter limitations. These include restricted web browsing and the activation of communication safety features within Messages and FaceTime. These tools are designed to scan for and blur nude photos and videos sent or received, providing a warning to users.
This development aligns with a broader regulatory shift in the UK. Following the Online Safety Act introduced last year, numerous digital platforms, from social media to adult websites, have been compelled to adopt similar age-check systems. The law mandates stricter controls over the content children can access online. While app stores and mobile operating systems themselves fall outside the direct scope of this legislation, the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has praised Apple’s proactive step.
Ofcom stated that Apple’s choice to make the UK a priority for deploying these new child safety protections on devices represents a significant victory for families. The government has consistently urged smartphone manufacturers to take more robust action against explicit content on devices, though it has not yet enacted laws forcing Apple or Google to implement such features. This voluntary action by Apple demonstrates the growing influence of regulatory expectations on global tech firms, even in areas not yet covered by formal law.
(Source: Ars Technica)
